Baur Au Lac

The first officially registered guest of the hotel was recorded in 1853, as per the mandatory system requiring inns and hotels to log all travelers, which were then published daily in the local paper. This guest was, by the way, a certain Mr. Dord, accompanied by his family and servant – four people in total – from New York.

The construction of the BAUR AU LAC began on a section of the old war harbor that had been filled in shortly before. In its first decade, the hotel resembled more of a large villa and served as an elegant residence for families. By 1854, the main block that constitutes much of today's hotel was completed.

Through constant expansion, the BAUR AU LAC reached approximately its current size by 1898. The sheer number of guests that flocked to the new hotel from the very beginning likely exceeded even Johannes Baur’s expectations. His business success enabled him to keep the BAUR AU LAC at the forefront of innovation, making it the most comfortable hotel far and wide.

By 1854, the Leipziger Illustrierte Zeitung dedicated an entire page to the famed hotel on Lake Zurich in issue number 575, under the headline, "Zurich is made more beautiful." The article states: "Art must vie with nature, which displays, even lavishes, all of its charms here. The exterior of the hotel promises a great deal. But when one goes inside and walks through the luxurious salons and bedrooms, all of one's expectations are exceeded."

Chief attraction for aristocrats and artists

The Hotel er Pension Baur au Lac quickly became a must-visit destination. Austria's Empress Elisabeth, the Russian Tsarina, German Emperor Wilhelm II, along with countless princes, counts, and barons, also stayed at the BAUR AU LAC.

Artists were drawn in by Zurich’s young elite, especially the wife of railway magnate Alfred Escher. Legend has it that composer Richard Wagner premiered the first act of his opera Die Walküre at the BAUR AU LAC, performing it himself, accompanied on the piano by his father-in-law, Franz Liszt. Since then, the most famous musicians in the world have passed through its doors, from Arthur Rubinstein to Plácido Domingo and Zubin Mehta. The visual arts were represented by legends like Marc Chagall, Joan Miró, and Henry Moore.

In 1859, the French and Austrian delegations stayed at the BAUR AU LAC for the Peace of Zurich conference. Empress Elisabeth returned on numerous occasions. And one more often told episode: in 1892, within the walls of the BAUR AU LAC, Austrian Baroness Bertha von Suttner convinced Swedish industrialist Alfred Nobel of the importance of establishing an international peace prize.

Although Johannes Baur initially faced significant challenges in repaying the vast debts incurred from constructing his first hotel while simultaneously launching his new lakeside enterprise, by 1860, he had managed to stabilize the company’s finances. He was ultimately able to hand over the properties to his son, free of debt, enjoying his well deserved retirement at his private residence "Venedigli".

From Empress Elisabeth of Austria (see: The Travelling Empress) to the magnates of all industries, the guest list is as long as the Who's Who. The Russian Tsarina also stayed at the BAUR AU LAC. Later, the German Emperor Wilhelm II. and countless princes, counts and barons followed. Richard Wagner gave the world première of the first act of his «Die Walküre» in the BAUR AU LAC, singing himself and accompanied on the piano by his father-in-law, Franz Liszt. The most famous musicians in the world have gone in and out ever since. The list extends from Arthur Rubinstein to Placido Domingo and Zubin Mehta.

Michel Rey