Sihl River's Single-Syllable Story: Between Concrete and Green

Welcome back to my "Every European City" Series. This time, we’re taking a closer look at the Single-Syllable Rivers - if they even exist!

Let’s first check the reality of these so-called monosyllabic rivers:

• Vienna: Danube – ❌
• Budapest: Danube – ❌
• Prague: Vltava – ❌
• Dublin: Liffey – ❌
• Rome: Tiber – ❌
• Florence: Arno – ❌
• Amsterdam: Amstel – ❌
• Madrid: Manzanares – ❌
• Barcelona: No major river – ❌
• Munich: Isar – ❌
• Oslo: Akerselva – ❌
• Stockholm: Mälaren – ❌
• Copenhagen: No major river – ❌

Okay, so this meme theory is sinking fast. But some cities still hold true:

• Paris: Seine – ✅
• Berlin: Spree – ✅
• London: Thames – ✅

So what about Zurich? 

A diplomatic approach is in order, because Zurich - as you may now in the meantime - has two rivers:

We have Sihl (✅) and Limmat (❌).

Let’s dive into the monosyllabic Sihl River today!

The Sihl River originates in the Swiss canton of Schwyz, flowing out of the Sihlsee reservoir near Einsiedeln. As it makes its way toward Zurich, it passes through the Sihl Valley, runs alongside the Sihlcity shopping mall, and flows beneath Zurich's main train station (Hauptbahnhof) in a covered section.

Shortly after passing under the station, the Sihl joins the Limmat at the apex of the Platzspitz Park.

From its source near the Drusberg mountain range to its confluence with the Limmat River in the city center, the Sihl is 73 kilometers (45 miles) long—not exactly a major river, but it can still check the “monosyllabic” box.

Despite winding through some of Zurich’s busiest areas, both the Sihl and Limmat retain a surprisingly natural character. You can spot gulls, herons, ducks, fish, and more, showing how the city integrates nature into its urban landscape.

Herons, really?

I was as surprised as you may be.

A year ago, on my way to lunch, after a few spring-like days, temps suddenly plummeted, and there was an Arctic wind in the air. But I spotted a heron, and I spent a good ten minutes watching and photographing it.

The Sihl River flows through Zurich’s heart, blending urban life with nature’s calm. It passes the bustling Sihl City mall, where shoppers catch glimpses of the river’s tranquil flow amid the retail frenzy. The river also offers a retreat for workers, providing a peaceful spot for lunchtime picnics by its banks.

On one side of the river stands Sihlpost, Zurich’s largest post office and one of the most iconic in Switzerland. The renovations at Sihlpost, which coincided with the development of the Europa-Allee  district, were completed by the mid-2000s. This transformation has turned the historic building into a modern hub, blending postal services with vibrant retail and dining spaces.

Though it retains essential functions, including late hours until 8pm, Sihlpost has downsized some of its traditional services as part of a broader shift in the postal industry.

These changes reflect a shift toward modern needs, with pop-up shops and restaurants like Hiltl making Sihlpost both a postal center and a community destination. Hiltl, the world’s oldest vegetarian restaurant (founded in 1898), occupies the front section of the building, near Zurich's main train station. The design preserves original elements, such as the garage entrance now serving as a buffet area and the former post office counter now repurposed as a bar.

It is a unique blend of cool functionality and warm ambience: The post office counters from the 1930s and the lockers on the wall still bear witness to the former post office.

Additionally, the Sihl river flows alongside the Old Botanical Garden, a historic site that was once part of Zurich's Baroque fortifications and now offers lush green spaces for relaxation. 

These elements collectively highlight how the Sihl River connects Zurich's rich history with its dynamic urban life.

The Männer Badi, originally a men’s-only public bathing facility, was transformed into Rimini Bar in the 1990s. The seasonal venue retains its historical structure while offering a trendy café and bar atmosphere, blending Zurich’s bathing culture with a modern social space.

Nearby, the Schanzengraben moat, a remnant of the city's fortifications, adds to the area’s historical charm. This canal, originally fed by the Sihl, was once part of Zurich’s defensive system, acting as a moat. Today, it has evolved into a more recreational and urban space, still connected to the Sihl, with the river continuing to feed the canal.

As we’ve seen, the Sihl River may not be the longest or most famous waterway in Zurich, but it certainly has its own charm. From its serene flow through urban landscapes to its role in the city’s natural and cultural fabric, it’s a reminder that even the smallest of rivers can make a big impact.

What hidden gems have you discovered along the rivers of your favorite cities? Would you enjoy having lunch at a former post office?