Did you know that Kloten has more to offer than just the airport? In this charming town on the outskirts of Zurich, there are plenty of surprises waiting to be discovered. Are you ready for a journey full of adventure, history and fun? Then immerse yourself in the world of Kloten and be amazed by our 8 fun facts!
Find out where the name Kloten comes from and why the city used to be an important hub and still is today.
Fasten your belts, because the journey through the fun facts of Kloten begins now!
Fun facts about Kloten that you didn’t know yet!
1. home of the Swiss airport
Zurich Airport, the largest airport in Switzerland, is actually located in the municipality of Kloten. With over 30 million passengers per year, it is a major transport hub and an important economic factor for the region.
2. important hub
Kloten was already an important hub on the trade route to Eglisau in the Middle Ages. With the construction of the airport and the expansion of the public transport network, the town gained renewed importance.
3. a silver lion armed with eagle’s claws
The coat of arms goes back to the lords of Kloten, who had borne a half lion in their seal as a sign of their affiliation to Habsburg since 1331. It was first used as the municipal coat of arms in 1793.
4 The Roman road
In Roman times, Kloten was located at the crossroads of the Roman road from Vindonissa to Brigantium with a road leading from the north towards Turicum; there was a Roman settlement near the reformed church in today’s town centre between the 1st and 3rd centuries AD, and a fort in the 4th century AD.
5 A cosmopolitan community
People from all over the world live in Kloten. The municipality is proud of its biodiversity and offers its residents a tolerant and cosmopolitan environment.
6 Kloten and ice hockey success
Kloten is known for its ice hockey team, EHC Kloten, which plays in the National League, the highest Swiss ice hockey league. The club has a long history and is one of the most successful ice hockey teams in Switzerland.
7. a Celtic name
It is assumed that the name “Kloten” is derived from the late Celtic form “klaudon”, which is said to have developed from the Celtic word “klādon”, derived from “klādo”, meaning something like closure or demarcation.
8 A community with a future
Kloten is a dynamic municipality with great development potential. Over the next few years, various construction projects will be realised in Kloten that will make the municipality even more attractive.
About Kloten
Kloten is a town with around 22,000 inhabitants in the district of Bülach in the lowlands of the Swiss canton of Zurich.
Geography
Kloten lies about 10 km north-east of the centre of the city of Zurich in the plain of the Glatt Valley. The Altbach stream coming from Bassersdorf flows from the Altbachtal valley into the Glatt below Glattbrugg after passing under the airport site.
The history
The settlement history of Kloten dates back to Roman times. In the Middle Ages, Kloten was an important trading centre on the road from Zurich to Constance.
Economy
Kloten is an important business centre in the canton of Zurich. The town is home to numerous companies from the industrial, commercial and service sectors. The largest employer in Kloten is Zurich Airport.
Traffic
Kloten has good transport links. Zurich Airport is the largest airport in Switzerland and is partly located in the municipality of Kloten.
Education
Kloten has a wide range of educational facilities, including kindergartens, primary schools, secondary schools and a vocational school.
Culture and leisure
Kloten offers a wide range of cultural and leisure activities. The town has a museum, a theatre, a cinema, several libraries and a sports centre.
Places of interest
The most important sights in Kloten include
- The Old Town: The Old Town of Kloten is a picturesque ensemble of medieval alleyways and buildings.
- Zurich Airport: Zurich Airport is the largest airport in Switzerland and is partly located in the municipality of Kloten.
Bonus tip: Discover Kloten with Foxtrail
Foxtrail is a unique and interactive scavenger hunt that offers visitors an innovative way to discover Kloten and its sights. In this adventure, participants are guided through the city in teams, solving puzzles and deciphering clues to find the next location on their way. This experience is designed to not only encourage physical movement through the city, but also to challenge teamwork and logical thinking.
How does the Foxtrail in Kloten work?
Starting point: Each Foxtrail begins at a designated starting point where teams receive their documents and initial clues. This marks the start of their adventure through Kloten.
Solve puzzles: Participants have to solve various puzzles that lead them to hidden messages, unusual places and impressive sights in Kloten. The puzzles are designed to encourage participants to take a closer look at the surroundings and engage with the city’s history and culture.
Team experience: Although Foxtrail can be experienced with family, friends or as a team-building activity with colleagues, the focus is on the shared experience. The tasks require communication and co-operation, which makes the whole thing a social experience.
By taking part in a Foxtrail in Kloten, visitors get the opportunity to explore the city in a fun way. They not only discover the well-known sights, but also hidden corners and special places that are off the beaten track. At the same time, they learn interesting facts about Kloten and its history, making the experience both educational and entertaining. Foxtrail thus offers a perfect combination of adventure, culture and fun, ideal for anyone who wants to discover Kloten in a unique and interactive way.
