At Lindenhof hill in the old city of Zurich stands the statue of Hedwig ab Burghalden, commemorating her and the brave women who defended and saved Zurich in the 13th century.
In 1292, Zurich went into a war with the house of Habsburg in nearby Winterthur. Since most of the men fought on the battlefield away from the city, Duke Albrecht I von Habsburg planned to seize the opportunity and take over Zurich.
When the Duke and his forces arrived at the gates of Zurich, they saw a fully geared army with soldiers holding their weapons, waving flags, and beating drums. Calculating their odds, the Duke and his forces abandoned the siege and retreated.
These threatening-looking warriors were the women of Zurich disguised as armed men and led by Hedwig ab Burghalden to defend the city. Due to their resourcefulness, bravery, and clever strategy, Zurich remained unharmed.
In 1912, Gustav Siber created the Hedwig Fountain, also known as the Women’s Monument. On a plinth beside the fountain stands a life-size bronze statue of Hedwig ab Burghalden, wearing her armor and helmet, holding a lance in her hand and a sword at her side, overlooking the city, ready for battle.
In Zurich’s old town, do not miss visiting the Grossmünster, the Kirche Fraumünster, the Kunsthaus art museum, and the Zurich Opera House by Lake Zurich.
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