The three houses at Burgweg 42, 44 und 46 in Zurich-Riesbach are joined together at their long side resulting in a prominent complex of buildings.
The house on the left (north-side) with the distinctive little tower was constructed in 1878 on lieu of a former barn. The small house in the middle is the oldest of the three buildings: according to dendrochronological age measurements taken at different oak beams in the fundament and the roof it was built around 1598.
The topmost house situated on the south with half-timbered work in the upper levels was supposedly erected in 1752; in 1931 is was fully renovated. The small washhouse with garage was built in 1831.
1999-2001 coat, windows and roofs of all the buildings were renovated. In 2014 the oldest house in the middle as fully renovated including the installation of central heating, modern kitchens, bathrooms and toilets. Two of the old stove remained in the house with their innards refitted and connected to a new unique chimney replacing three ancient chimneys.
The washhouse with its washing toughs and a heated wash-tub a bathing tub was conserved, the paintwork renewed and the roof repaired in 2001. The old-building renovation was partly supported by Pro Patria.
The property with a big garden and the washing house is owned by a community of three heirs.
The old barn now used as storage space is owned by the canton Zurich which let it to a roofer and tiler.
The meadow with its fruit-trees bordering on its SE side to the property “Untere Weinegg” is currently maintained by a local farming and gardening association (“Quartier-Bauernhof Weinegg”). The land is owned by the canton of Zurich.
Looking from the location as depicted above, things seem to remain unchanged since the 18th century.
In the SW the New Botanical Garden of the University of Zurich is adjoining the property. Note its futuristic greenhouses.
The southern corner of the garden is dominated by two trees: an ash and an American linden (at the right).
Looking towards the NW finally a part of the city of Zurich (Zurich-Hottingen) is appearing.
Impressum: Max R. Dürsteler, July 2015