Grosser Hafner

Grosser Hafner is an archaeological site on Lake Zurich with remains of prehistoric pile dwellings and Roman structures near the Limmat River. The area contains traces of residential buildings and sacred structures that have been preserved underwater for thousands of years.

Settlements appeared here during the Neolithic period and remained inhabited for thousands of years. During Roman times, a major structure was built and continued in use until the 4th century AD, as confirmed by coin deposits.

The settlement reveals different ways people lived and built homes across several thousand years of prehistory and early Roman times. The arrangement of structures shows how communities adapted their living spaces to the lake environment over successive periods.

The site is protected under strict regulations and is closed to public access. Any research or excavation work requires official permits and must follow comprehensive conservation guidelines.

Coin deposits suggest that a structure existed here as early as the 1st century AD. This early Roman presence shows how the site remained continuously used and developed across multiple centuries in the lakeside landscape.

Location: Zurich

Location: Canton of Zürich

Part of: list of cultural properties in Zürich/district 8 (Riesbach)

GPS coordinates: 47.36290,8.54296

Latest update: December 18, 2025 11:40