Roses & 'Rose Town' Of Rapperswil-Jona

Rapperswil-Jona is known across Switzerland as the Rose Town, or the Town of Roses, one of Switzerland’s most flower-proud places, and the name is as old as the town’s emblem, and the name goes back to the town’s own emblem. The coat of arms of Rapperswil shows roses, and the Counts of Rapperswil used a rose in their seal in the Middle Ages, so the flower was part of the town’s identity long before anyone planted a public rose garden. Over the 20th century that symbol was turned into a living tradition, and the town now celebrates it with gardens, events and a good deal of decorative planting.

The roses are planted in several public gardens spread over the old town, the slope below the castle and the lakeside. Among them is a garden at the former Capuchin monastery, and others lie on the hill above the quay and in the area known as the Schanz. Together they hold many thousands of bushes in hundreds of varieties, from old-fashioned scented roses to modern cultivars, and the beds are labelled so visitors can look up names. The garden slopes give views over the lake and the old town roofs, and benches make it easy to sit and enjoy the colours.

The season runs from late spring into autumn, with the peak usually in June, when the first big flush opens and the scent hangs over the gardens. A second smaller bloom often follows later in the summer. Because the flowers are in public space, the gardens can be visited free of charge during the day, and early morning and evening light give the best photographs. The roses also appear in the town’s festivals and souvenirs, and a sculpted or painted rose is a common sight on signs, in shop windows and on the street.

The Rose Town label is a good way to understand the character of Rapperswil-Jona. It is a small, tidy lakeside town that takes pride in its flowers and its setting, and the roses sit alongside Rapperswil Castle, the old town and the shore of Lake Zurich, the old town and the long footbridge as part of the standard walk. Other entries for the town cover the individual gardens, the annual bloom and the castle, so this one is best treated as a theme that links them. Walking from the station through the old town and up to the castle takes you past most of the planting.

The roses suit garden lovers, photographers, families and anyone who enjoys a slow walk in a pretty setting around Jona and the lake. June is the most popular month, so go on a weekday morning to avoid the crowds. Check the town’s tourist information for what is in bloom if you are planning a visit outside summer.