Between the Glatt River, fields and 1960s architecture, Oberglatt offers different ways to enjoy a stay in Zurich’s Unterland region. The municipality is in the Dielsdorf district, around 15 kilometres northwest of Zurich. The Reformed church, historic rectory and flat landscape offer different points of interest when choosing a destination: architectural history in the village centre, or walks and bike rides in the surrounding area.
The Glatt Landscape and the Municipality
Oberglatt lies on the plain along the Glatt River. Fields, forests and small streams shape the landscape; around 40 per cent of the municipal area is used for agriculture. The flat surroundings are ideal for walks and bike rides. The political municipality includes the village of Oberglatt, which lies on both sides of the Glatt, the village district of Hofstetten and the area of Grafschaft on the right bank of the Glatt. The municipality, whose village centre lies on both sides of the Glatt, borders the edge of the runways at Zurich-Kloten Airport to the east.
Church Architecture and History in the Village Centre
The Reformed church was built between 1962 and 1964 to designs by Ernst Gisel and Louis PlĂĽss. It is one of the outstanding church buildings of the 1960s in the Canton of Zurich and is of considerable architectural and historical significance. Its defining features include exposed concrete, a deeply projecting canopy supported by just a few pillars, and six large openings in the tower, bevelled towards the inside.
The Reformed rectory stands west of the church in the historic village centre. It was built in 1655 and altered in 1698. The painted Baroque wooden beam ceiling on the upper floor dates from this renovation. The rectory is considered an important example of artistic and architectural history. The church and rectory thus represent buildings from different centuries.
Oberglatt was first mentioned in a document in 1153. In the Middle Ages, the area belonged to the County of Kyburg and became part of the city of Zurich in 1442 as part of the Neuamt bailiwick. The archives of the Oberglatt Evangelical Reformed parish also record a document from 1571 concerning Oberglatt and Hofstetten.
Audio Trail and Other Discoveries
The audio trail runs from Rümlang to Oberglatt and has ten stops with information boards and QR codes for accessing audio stories. It is a year-round hiking experience for children aged 6 to 10. The end of the trail is about 200 metres from the Oberglatt, Bälen bus stop. Check the latest public transport information before travelling. For a visit to the Oberglatt Evangelical Reformed parish, taking the bus to the “Zentrum” stop is recommended; it is also worth checking the latest ZVV information here.
The Oberglatt ZH Fire Brigade Museum displays historic fire engines, trailers, clothing and equipment, as well as documentation on the development and history of firefighting. Check the latest access information before visiting.
Annual Events
The Bannumgang (boundary walk) usually takes place in June or July; the exact dates vary from year to year. A specific winter event is the Oberglatt Christmas Market 2026, which takes place on 5 and 6 December at the municipal square. The programme for the Oberglatter Chilbi 2026 includes food stalls run by local clubs, serving culinary delights, bumper car rides and other attractions for all ages. Individual programme items may change from one edition to the next.
Discover more destinations: Rümlang, Otelfingen, Niederweningen, Schleinikon, Dänikon, Dällikon, Buchs, Regensberg.
For the main travel overview: Dielsdorf.
