Deer Park

Early in the morning, the Schlossberg in Rapperswil is a hive of activity. That’s when the gamekeeper makes his rounds. He distributes food – hay, bread, chestnuts or potatoes – checks the enclosure and removes weeds and garbage. The fallow deer, which have lived here for over 150 years, watch him with pricked ears, much to the delight of onlookers.

The first animals were brought to the 55-hectare enclosure in 1871. They are a reminder of the legend of the founding of the town. According to the legend, Rudolf, Count of Altendorf, was out hunting by the lake one day with his wife Mechthild. His dogs sniffed out a deer and chased it into a cave on a rocky ridge. Two calves were also hiding there. The countess took pity on the animals and persuaded her husband to let the deer live. At midday, the deer reappeared and laid its head in Mechthild’s lap in thanks. The count took this as a sign from heaven and decided to build a castle on the rock and a town on the southern slope.