Roman tool marks in the stone quarry, the discovery site of a special type of rock, and churches from different periods give Würenlos a distinctive cultural heritage. At the same time, the Furttal, the Limmat and the Furtbach shape the landscape. Spend your stay exploring local history, architecture and paths along the water.
Between the Furttal and the Limmat
Würenlos lies north of the Limmat in the Furttal and borders the Canton of Zurich. At the lower end of the flat valley, the Gmeumeriwald rises to the south, reaching 516 metres above sea level. To the west lies Bick Hill, at 562 metres, at the end of the Altberg. The land slopes steeply south towards the Limmat; the Furtbach has carved a deep gorge before flowing into the river southwest of the village.
One specific walking route is the “By the Water: Limmat” trail, which crosses the Furtbach near the Würenlos motorway service station. The Gold Coast–Limmat route covers a different scale: it is 28 kilometres long, including 18 kilometres on unpaved surfaces, and is rated easy in terms of fitness requirements. At the service station, also known as the “Fressbalken” (“food beam”), it follows a recreation path across the valley, past the motorway and through the industrial area to Wettingen. Check the route before setting out, as local conditions may change.
Quarry, Emma Kunz and early traces
The Würenlos quarry was first a site for extracting stone and later a place where Emma Kunz worked. Both give it economic and cultural-historical significance. In 1942, Kunz discovered the healing stone “Aion A” there. In 1986, the Emma Kunz Centre was established at the discovery site as a meeting place. The adjoining Emma Kunz Museum displays around 70 of the artist’s works at a time, on a rotating basis.
Numerous tool marks have been preserved at the stoneworks site, dating back to Roman times. Another trace of earlier use lies at Haselberg, north of the village: shell limestone was quarried there as a building material as early as Roman times. Archaeological finds also suggest that the Würenlos area was inhabited as far back as the Neolithic and Bronze Ages. Together, these sites tell a long story of human use, though each period has left its own distinct traces.
Churches, monastery and historic buildings
The Marienkirche was built in 1936/37 to plans by Baden architect Alois Moser and is one of the first concrete churches in the Canton of Aargau. Its geometric concrete tracery frames coloured glass panels by the Stans painter Anton Flüeler. The Alte Kirche reflects a different historical period: after the two new churches were consecrated, it was repurposed as a venue for cultural events. It may have been rebuilt from the ground up after being destroyed in the Old Zurich War; it was consecrated in 1519.
Kloster Fahr is set in a peaceful location near the Limmat. The monastery church and St. Anna Chapel are open to visitors; visitor arrangements may change. Public guided tours of the monastery also offer a chance to explore the church’s marble altars and architectural paintings. The chapel preserves fresco-secco paintings from the late 13th century. The historic complex also includes the “Zu den Zwei Raben” inn, built in 1679 and the oldest Baroque building in the entire monastery complex. Check tour dates in advance.
Historic details beyond the churches also reveal the story of the village. The history of the Mühlescheune dates back to 1422; the old mill in Würenlos stands between the church and the Furtbach. The Bickguet estate, meanwhile, sits above an extensive hillside vineyard on a lateral moraine and offers panoramic views of the Limmat Valley. In the Middle Ages, it served the Wettingen monastery as a wine-pressing house and also as the residence of the retired abbot.
A seasonal option
For a summer stay, the Wiemel outdoor swimming pool offers another way to enjoy the area. Open for swimming in summer since 1972, it has a 50-metre swimming pool, a non-swimmer pool and a paddling pool for young children. There are also two beach volleyball courts and a children’s playground. As this is an outdoor pool, these facilities are seasonal; check the latest information if you’re planning your visit around them.
Discover more destinations: Mellingen, Künten, Gebenstorf, Wettingen, Spreitenbach, Würenlingen, Ehrendingen, Birmenstorf.
Return to the main travel overview: Baden.
