Yoummi – the catering option from Swiss Youth Hostels 

• All prices exclusive of taxes CHF 2.50 per person/night, including VAT.
• The Hostel Card Standard is included in the price of accommodation and is valid from the day of arrival to the day of departure.
• You have the option of purchasing a Hostel Card Premium and benefit from cheaper accommodation prices in all Swiss youth Hostels. More information about the Hostel Card Premium
• Groups (minimum of 10 people) are advised to buy a Hostel Card Premium (personal: CHF 55.– / non-personal: CHF 99.–)
• Find our children's prices on the family page. 
• Group rates for children ages 2 to 5 years, a flat rate of CHF 15.–; from ages 6 to 12 years, accommodation prices / group prices apply
• Car park per night CHF 10.–
• Voluntary climate protection contribution CHF 0.30
• Rates are subject to change
• All rates in CHF

Barrier-free stay

The garden terrace is paved in composite stone, while the garden seating area consists of gravel. The internet terminals are seat terminals and wheelchair-friendly.

Barrier-free accommodation

27 of the rooms of Richterswil Youth Hostel offer barrier-free access, and 55 beds are disability-friendly.

The ground floor, the garden terrace and the garden seating area are raised slightly relative to the road. Entrance to the building is effected via a ramp with a 4% incline leading to the garden terrace, enabling the difference in elevation to be overcome with ease.

The building has a generously sized lift linking the floors.

• The width of the corridor in front of the elevator is 180 cm
• The width of the elevator door is 80 cm
• Elevator width: 100 cm
• Elevator depth: 130 cm

The width of the doors to the rooms is 77cm.

Barrier-free bathroom

A wheelchair-friendly WC with Closomet as well as a wheelchair-friendly shower is provided on both storeys.

Barrier-free journey

By train / by foot

From Richterswil Railway Station approx. 400 m

From Zurich on S-Bahn train No. 2 or 8 to Richterswil (every 30 mins.). From Zurich Airport on S-Bahn train No. 2 to Richterswil in 50 mins. (direct train). From Richterswil Railway Station continue along the lake for approx. 400m, in a north-westerly direction. At the yacht harbour turn right along to follow the edge of the lake. After about 50m you will find the Youth Hostel on the left-hand side.

By car

From the motorway exit Richterswil, drive towards the village. On the Seestrasse turn left and keep straight on until you come to the sign “Horn/Jugendherberge”. The youth hostel has only normal, chargeable parking spaces. Please ensure you make an advance reservation. We will be pleased to make the disabled car parking space available free of charge for holders of the official blue disabled person’s parking permit.

Useful information

Links for public transport

• Swiss Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired: Barrier-free public transport (website only in German and French)
• Swiss Railways (SBB)
• Navigation Zürichsee

Taxi

• LZU Behindertentransport
  Phone +41 44 781 49 49

Closest pharmacy

approx. 400 m, at the Railway station

• Paracelsus-Apotheke Richterswil
  Chrüzweg 4
  8805 Richterswil
  Phone: +41 44 784 60 60

Offers

• Holzbrücke Seedamm-Weg, route no. 849
• Pfäffikersee-Rundweg, route no. 890
• Wädenswiler-Seeuferweg, route no. 894
• Tourism inclusive
• Barrier-free, hand-operated pedalo (chargeable)

Supporting the OK:GO initiative

Swiss Youth Hostels is part of the OK:GO initiative. This initiative aims to ensure that every tourism provider in Switzerland offers information about the accessibility of its services to the public. Learn more about the initiative here.

ginto profile of Richterswil Youth Hostel

Visit our ginto page for Richterswil Youth Hostel now and find out all about barrier-free accommodation at this hostel.
 

Industry with a lakeside view

In many places in Switzerland, the dependence on water energy and the still comparatively low prices of building land have resulted in the paradox that some of the first factories were erected in prime locations that not many of those working inside could possibly have afforded for their own homes. The flat estuaries of rivers or streams into the lakes made it easier to build business premises and provided space for subsequent extensions.

Wine, silk and rubber

In 1841, wine merchant Johann Jakob Blattmann had a feudal mansion built in the classical style together with an adjoining winery on the Richterswil Horn.

His early death in 1848 forced his surviving descendants to sell the property just a few years later. The successful bidder, Johann Konrad Egli from Küs-nacht, installed looms for the production silk in the cellars. With a working day of twelve hours at that time, the poorly-illuminated cellar wing was unsuitable for long-term use however. In 1855, Johann Konrad Egli had a new building constructed in its place which due to its roof shape, similar proportions and classical exterior identical to the residential building gave the unmistakable impression of a set of buildings that belonged together.

In the second half of the 19th century, the Swiss silk industry increasingly gathered momentum. At that time, the Egli silk factory employed more than 80 factory workers and up to 500 employees working at home. Nevertheless, its success was short-lived. With Johann Konrad Egli’s death in 1862, his successors lacked the financial resources to continue the business.

The subsequent companies were unable to escape this destiny either. From 1868, the subsequent «Mechanische Seidenstofffärberei Zürich» silk dyeing works rented the premises, followed from 1900 by the Wädenswiler Seidenstoffweberei Gessner silk weaving factory. Silk production finally came to an end during the interwar depression. For two years the premises housed the neighbouring calico printing works. This was followed from1929 by the production of rubberised cloth. It was only in 1976, with the acquisition of the tongue of land by the Canton of Zurich for recreational purposes that peace at last seemed to come to the Horn area.

It was all worth it in the end...

On completion of the purchase, the Canton immediately had a usage concept drawn up for the area. In addition to residential accommodation, a boat shed, restaurant and multi-story car park, it also provided for a youth hostel. Sadly the all too numerous interests and the unresolved financing of the area prevented a quick realisation. When ten years later, with the demolition of the factory building that had been envisaged for the youth hostel, the idea of a youth hostel at the Horn seemed buried forever. Almost at the last moment, the youth hostel once again became a political issue. At the end of 1988, the canton unanimously approved the building finance and the youth hostel opened its doors on 4 July 1992.