Sechseläuten 2008

14 April 2008

Every 3rd Monday of April, Zürich is host to Sechseläuten - the ushering in of Spring. The procession of the 25 Guilds through the city of Zürich culminates in the burning of the Böögg at Sechselaeutenplatz. According to local lore, the quicker the Böögg burns, the hotter and longer the summer will be and, conversly, the longer the Böögg takes to burn the wetter summer will be.

In the days before Sechseleuten, the streets of Zürich are decorated with flags both of Zürich, Switzerland, the Guilds of Zürich and, in some places, flags of the Guest Canton. Each year for Sechselaeuten another Canton is invited to process with the Zürcher Guilds from Bürkliplatz, down the prestigous Bahnhofstrasse and, on the other side of the Limmat, back to Bellevue to witness the burning of Mister Winter personified in the Böögg.

The bells of St Peters Church rang at 6 O'Clock signalling that the the pyre under the Böögg was to be lit. The key time is the time between the pyre being lit and the head of the Böögg finally explodes in an almighty bang. Ten to twelve minutes for a warm summer. This year the Böögg burnt for 26 minutes and 1 second. Looks like we're in for a trying summer.

Related websites

Map of Zürich


View Larger Map