Schloss Au, Manor house in Wädenswil, Switzerland
Schloss Au is a manor house in Wädenswil featuring layered architectural elements from different periods. The main building contains north and south loggias, a western tower, an eastern courtyard with a round tower, and approximately 50 rooms with marble floors.
Hans Rudolf Werdmüller built a Venetian-style villa on the property during the 1650s. He also established horticulture, agriculture, fisheries, and a blacksmith workshop, transforming the estate into a productive working landscape.
The estate now serves as a conference center affiliated with the cantonal teacher training institute, hosting educational events and workshops since 2015. Visitors can see how the property bridges its past as a private residence with its current function as a gathering place for learning and exchange.
Interior access to the building is limited, but visitors can explore sections of the grounds and view the architectural features from outside. The property is designated as a Class B cultural monument and may be more accessible during scheduled events.
The estate contains a Neolithic archaeological site called Wädenswil-Vorder Au with prehistoric pile dwellings buried beneath the grounds. This layering of time reveals that people occupied this lakeside location thousands of years before the manor was built.
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