Meilen, The Canton of Zürich, Switzerland

🇨🇭 Meilen is a municipality in the district of Meilen in the canton of Zürich in Switzerland.

History Archaeological finds in Meilen date back more than 4,000 years. In January 1854 the level of lake Zürich was particularly low and the locals took the chance to reclaim some land. During this undertaking prehistoric objects from the Pfyn, Horgen and early Bronze Age cultures were unearthed providing clear evidence of early settlement.

The locals also unearthed coins from Roman times (1st to 3rd century AD). One of the Roman roads connected Turicum (Zürich) with places up to Chur and passed by Meilen. Many findings were discovered during more recent road construction.

Parts of Meilen were possessions of monasteries, including the monastery of St. Gallen, the ones of Einsiedeln and Säckingen, or the more local Grossmünster of Zürich. Meilen is first mentioned between 820 and 880 as Meilana.

The town's coat of arms shows two castle towers which represent the castle of Friedberg, the local castle. The castle was built around 1200 but was extended in the 14th century. Some remains are still visible, including the fountain which reaches down 29 metres. Wine making in Meilen dates back for centuries.

In 1384 Meilen became a bailiwick of Zürich. Thanks to the reeve Meilen enjoyed relative autonomy until 1798. Since the Middle Ages local trade and handicraft was established in Meilen. There were at least four mills to support the local agriculture. Towards the end of the 18th century, industrialisation arrived in Meilen in form of textiles, but this form of production disappeared in the 19th century. With the arrival of the railway in 1894 local trade and industry blossomed. The ferry to Horgen was opened in 1933.

Geography Meilen has an area of 11.9 square km (4.6 sq mi). Of this area, 46.9% is used for agricultural purposes, 24.4% is forested, 27.2% is settled (buildings or roads) and the remainder (1.4%) is non-productive (rivers, glaciers or mountains). In 1996 housing and buildings made up 21.4% of the total area, while transportation infrastructure made up the rest (5.8%). Of the total unproductive area, water (streams and lakes) made up 0.2% of the area. As of 2007 26.5% of the total municipal area was undergoing some type of construction.

It is located on the north bank of the lake of Zürich. Meilen is located about halfway between Zürich and Rapperswil. Meilen is connected to Horgen across the lake by ferry. In the local dialect it is called Meile.

The town is divided into four districts (Wachten), namely Feldmeilen, Dorfmeilen and Obermeilen along the lake side, as well as Bergmeilen towards the Mt. Pfannenstiel. The districts used to be more autonomous, but today the division is only used for schooling purposes.

Transportation There are two railway stations within the municipality. Meilen railway station is served by the S6, S7 and SN7 lines of the Zürich S-Bahn. Herrliberg-Feldmeilen station is served by lines S6 and S16. During the day the S16 line terminates at Herrliberg-Feldmeilen, but in the evening it is extended to Meilen. Meilen is also a significant station for regional bus lines.

In the summer there are regular boats along the lake to Zürich and Rapperswil, run by the Zürichsee-Schifffahrtsgesellschaft. The Horgen–Meilen car ferry connects Meilen with Horgen on the opposite shore of the lake, and one of that ferry line's ships carries the name Meilen.