Festung Ebersberg

About the museum

Ebersberg Fortress was driven by hand into the sandstone layer of a hill above the Rhine between 1938 and 1940. Built as the “Rüdlingen” artillery works, it was meant to secure the border in the north of the Canton of Zurich before and during the Second World War; despite its name, it is not located in Rüdlingen in the Canton of Schaffhausen but in Berg am Irchel. In combat, around 65 soldiers, non-commissioned officers and officers of the fortress artillery company would have manned the facility, with supplies for ten days of self-sufficiency. It was armed with two 7.5 cm bunker guns.

The obsolete guns were removed in 1978. After declassification in April 2003, which ended decades of secrecy, the facility later passed into the hands of the municipality. Today the Military History Society of the Canton of Zurich looks after the monument of national significance under a long-term agreement and keeps it in its original condition.

On the guided tours, visitors see, among other things, a restored two-storey living quarters area and the combat positions. A constant temperature of about 10 degrees prevails inside the works. Since September 2010, the Ebersberg Fortress Trail has also led to the site as a hiking path.

Highlights

• Largest fortress in the Canton of Zurich, built into the sandstone from 1938 to 1940
• Visits by guided tour only, preserved in its original condition
• Restored two-storey living quarters and combat positions
• Monument of national significance
• Can be combined with the Ebersberg Fortress Trail

Permanent exhibition

• Artilleriewerk Rüdlingen (Festung Ebersberg) – Guided tour through the fortress of 1938, with living quarters on two levels and combat positions in their original condition.

Operated by

Militärhistorische Gesellschaft des Kantons Zürich (MHG-ZH)

Admission & discounts

Public individual tour: adults aged 16 and over CHF 30, children up to 15 years CHF 20.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Part of the facility is not accessible by wheelchair. A constant temperature of 10 degrees prevails inside the works; sturdy footwear and warm clothing are recommended.

Kids & families

Children up to 15 years pay a reduced price on the public tour.

Getting there & parking

The fortress can be reached by car or on foot via the Ebersberg Fortress Trail (about a 30-minute hike); entrance coordinates according to the website: 685 869 / 269 534 (Swiss national grid).

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

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