Frauenbad: Swimming in the Limmat

Swimming in Lake Zürich and in the Limmat River are very, very popular here. Even in the winter (like the Samichlausschwimmen). I am a wimp (in German one says a Weichei – or weak egg). I have had no desire to get into the very clear, very clean water that comes from a glacier. You know, ice.

But. My neighbor (who I just met less than a month ago) invited me to go to the Frauenbad with her one morning. It has been warm, and I thought of the possible blog post, so I said yes.

On Wednesday it was cloudy and the air temperature was 64. The water temperature in the Limmat was 68. So. Not freezing, but certainly not spa-like.

This is right next to the Bauschänzli

I plunked down my CHF 8 and got ready for a dip. It looks like a swimming pool with lanes and all, but the water is definitely river water (no chlorine!).

This art nouveau structure with views of the old city is a marvelous place for a women-only bath. I swam some laps, and it was invigorating.

There are books to borrow as you lounge by the pool.

And, of course, a cafe.

No shoes allowed

If we weren’t leaving so soon, I would definitely go back. Maybe I’ll take a dip in the lake one time before we go…

More photos at glampinginswitzerland’s Instagram.

River Boat Ride

A few weeks ago we tried to ride one of the river boats that I had seen. We waited by the Landesmuseum stop, but one never came. On Sunday we saw them on the river and jumped on.

It was doing brisk business as tourist season has really ramped up.

We went by the Lindenhof, part of the original city fortifications.

The boats are low enough to go under the bridges.

Here is the Women’s Bathing House (Frauenbadi). Clothing optional, but no inappropriate photo here…

Riding on one of these boats is included in your public transportation ticket.

More photos at glampinginswitzerland’s Instagram.

River Boats Return: Now Improved!

From 2 April until 22 October, river boats cruise up and down the LImmat toting passengers. Your Zurich transportation tickets work on these, along with the trams, S-Trains, busses, and funicluars. A few weeks ago I saw one out for a test spin.

Little did I realize that this is a new-and-improved version – they are now electric. I read somewhere that the names were going to change from Felix, Regula (the patron saints of Zürich) and Turicum (Zürich’s first name under Roman rule). I’m now thinking that was on April 1.

This boat is named Felix.

They can go under the various low bridges up and down the river.

Lichterschwimmen 2022

In 2014 we enjoyed the Zürich tradition of Lichterschwimmen. It was one of the first things I put on my calendar when we moved here. This time I read a how these floating candles on the river came to be a thing. In 1962 a Zürich schoolteacher wanted to do something to celebrate Schulsylvester (the last day of school before the Christmas holiday).

This year the weather was perfect. It had been windy all day, but warm. By evening it was around 48 (Fahrenheit) and not raining, We met friends at the Weinplatz near the Hotel Storchen and waited for the candles to come down the river.

In the distance, the candles appeared, bobbing and floating along.

The people in kayaks were ready. At the end they collect all of the candles.

Candles floating closer.

And closer.

Our friend made a timelapse movie of the event. You can watch the 36-second video here.

I found this more comprehensive video here. It is from 2019 when the churches were lit up at night, before they were trying to save energy.

I find that a river flowing through a town helps make a city wonderful. This is only one example of why!

More photos at glampinginswitzerland’s Instagram.

Samichlausschwimmen

In December 2014, we watched people swim in the Limmat River, many wearing Santa hats. You can read about that event here. When I read about this year’s swim, I grabbed my long lens and walked to the river. Imagine my surprise when there were no swimmers near the Conelli tent where it had taken place in 2014.

Hm. Well, this website had the date and time, and we were there. I double-checked the website and looked for a location. NO LOCATION LISTED. I find often that websites about Zürich events leave out pertinent information. Like at time. Or a location. Or a price.

Since we knew the event was in the Limmat River, we started walking along the banks. Sure enough, by the time we had walked almost two miles downstream, we came to the Flussbad Oberer Letten where we saw heads bopping up and down in the water.

Along the river are various places where you can swim in the summer. There are changing rooms and a prescribed area for swimmers near a dock. The river and lake are clean enough for swimming. They are also fed by glacial waters. On Sunday, the water temperature was described as “warm” at 10 degrees C. which is 50 degrees F.

This MC was announcing all kinds of things in Swiss German.

I took many photos of various people swimming downstream. Many had festive hats on. After about 100 photos, we thought we might go, but then I saw these women waiting in line.

Swimmers usually pair up or go in groups, and these white-wigged women looked like they were in for a good time. I had to wait for their turn. I’m glad I did. Here they are, after getting decked out and having their photo taken.

The MC asked them who they were, and he proclaimed to the audience that they were the “Queen Angels.” I counted ten of these women.

There were two places to enter the river, and these Queen Angels chose the shorter distance to the finish line. Smart.

They all made it.

This website said that 380 people participated this year. The money raised went to the Idée Sport Foundation. It also said that there was homemade barley soup for the participants, but I did not see it. A friend suggested that glögg would have been better, and perhaps a hot tub. I agree.

Here is the Facebook page for the event.

More photos at glampinginswitzerland’s Instagram.