Landscape Park Rütli

Seelisberg, Switzerland

Photo © Studio Vulkan Landschaftsarchitektur

Photo © André Herger

Landscape Architecture

Landscape Architects: Studio Vulkan Landscape Architecture

Location: Bergwiese Rütli, Seelisberg, Switzerland
Year: 2012
Client: Bundesamt für Bauten und Logistik BBL
Architektur: Theres Aschwanden, Daniel Schürer, Zürich
Landschaftsarchitektur: Schweingruber Zulauf Landschaftsarchitekten
Ökologie: Agrofutura, Frick

A new interpretation of recreational infrastructure for a historical landscape monument.

The Rütliwiese is a meadow above Lake Lucerne where the legendary oath of loyalty founding the Swiss Confederation was taken. Renowned as the “cradle of Switzerland,” the Rütli is a Swiss national heritage site without a monument. The place was designed as a landscape park in the 18th century – one that, according to the poet Friedrich Schiller, ideally sets off the “inhospitable shores” of Lake Lucerne. Carefully staggered perspectives are implemented through clearings and single trees and sightlines and follies create an Alpine idyll, representative of Switzerland.

The park, however, was in need of restoration. In this context, the landscape concept takes three aspects into account: agricultural and cultural heritage, an ecological shore landscape in the foothills of the Alps, and leisure. Qualities of the park were restored through revitalization measures including the re-opening of overgrown sightlines. The landscape and its agricultural uses are intentionally incorporated as part of the scenography of the overall appearance of the landscape. Instead of sweeping gestures, the design uses restrained elements. The choreography of the route remains the most important design element, with a new layer added solely in the picnic area.