Freimaurerloge Modestia cum Libertate

Freimaurerloge Modestia cum Libertate (McL) is a Masonic lodge based in Zürich, Switzerland. According to its official website, it is the oldest and, with more than 120 members, the largest lodge in Zürich. The lodge is legally constituted as a registered association (Verein) and is one of the eight regular Masonic lodges in the city of Zürich that meet in the distinctive row of buildings at the Lindenhof, a site once occupied by a Roman fort. The lodge traces its origins to the eighteenth century. Zürich citizens who had been initiated into Freemasonry abroad returned home and founded the lodge "La Discrétion" in 1771. From 1772 it called itself the "just and perfect lodge to Modesty and Liberty" (Modestia cum Libertate). Lodge activity was suspended for a long period beginning in 1786, not least for religious and political reasons. The lodge later resumed and became a formative institution in Swiss Freemasonry; its website states that outstanding members contributed substantially to the building of Freemasonry in Switzerland and, in the mid-nineteenth century, to the founding of the Swiss federal state. McL's activities revolve around the Masonic year, which runs from October to June. Brothers meet regularly for conferences, lectures, discussions and ritual work. The rituals serve the admission to the Entered Apprentice degree, promotion to Fellow Craft and elevation to Master Mason, and they train members in the ethical and philosophical principles of Freemasonry. In addition to weekly meetings, the lodge organizes events and excursions in which partners may take part, and it invites the public to concerts and lectures on current topics. Through its foundations, McL is active in charity and is a founder and sponsor of various social institutions in the city of Zürich. The lodge building at the Lindenhof is a notable part of its identity. In January 2026 the lodge house was affected by a fire; the authorities are investigating the cause and the sequence of events, and the lodge has stated that it is maintaining lodge operations as far as possible and is providing information about reconstruction. The lodge has published account details for those who wish to support the rebuilding. As a private association rather than a commercial company, McL does not sell products in the conventional sense. Its "offerings" are membership, ritual and educational activities, public cultural events, and charitable work. Its public profile is tied to its historic building, its long tradition in Zürich, and its role in the development of Swiss Freemasonry.

The history of Freimaurerloge Modestia cum Libertate reaches back to the eighteenth century. According to the lodge's official website, Zürich citizens who had returned home after being admitted into Freemasonry in other countries founded the lodge "La Discrétion" in 1771. From 1772 it called itself the "just and perfect lodge to Modesty and Liberty" (Modestia cum Libertate). Lodge activity was suspended for a long period beginning in 1786, not least for religious and political reasons. The lodge later resumed its work and became a central institution in Zürich and Swiss Freemasonry. Its website states that outstanding members from its ranks contributed substantially to the building of Freemasonry in Switzerland and, in the mid-nineteenth century, to the founding of the Swiss federal state. Today McL is described as the oldest and, with more than 120 members, the largest lodge in Zürich. It is one of the eight regular Masonic lodges in the city that meet in the distinctive row of buildings at the Lindenhof, a location where a Roman fort once stood. The lodge is legally constituted as a registered association (Verein). Lodge life follows the Masonic year from October to June. Brothers meet regularly for conferences, lectures, discussions and ritual work. The rituals serve the admission to the Entered Apprentice degree, promotion to Fellow Craft and elevation to Master Mason, and they train members in the ethical and philosophical principles of Freemasonry. In addition to weekly meetings, the lodge organizes events and excursions in which partners may participate, and it invites the public to concerts and lectures on current topics. Through its foundations, McL is active in charity and is a founder and sponsor of various social institutions in the city of Zürich. In January 2026 the lodge house was affected by a fire. The lodge reported that in the night of 25 to 26 January 2026 a fire event occurred in the lodge house in Zürich, that the responsible authorities are clarifying the cause and sequence of events, and that necessary safeguarding measures are underway. The lodge stated that lodge operations are being maintained as far as possible and that it will provide information about relevant developments, especially in connection with reconstruction. It also published account information for those who wish to support the rebuilding.

• 2026

  A fire occurred in the lodge house in Zürich in the night of 25 to 26 January; authorities are investigating and reconstruction support is being organized.

• 1786

  Lodge activity was suspended for a long period, not least for religious and political reasons.

• 1772

  The lodge adopted the name "gerechte und vollkommene Loge zur Bescheidenheit und Freiheit" (Modestia cum Libertate).

• 1771

  Zürich citizens who had been admitted into Freemasonry abroad founded the lodge "La Discrétion".

Historic, non-commercial Masonic lodge; oldest and largest lodge in Zürich, rooted at the Lindenhof and active in charity and public cultural events.

• Masonic lodge membership

  Membership in the oldest and largest Zürich lodge, with more than 120 members.

• Ritual degree work

  Admission to the Entered Apprentice degree, promotion to Fellow Craft and elevation to Master Mason.

• Lectures, discussions and conferences

  Regular meetings during the Masonic year from October to June.

• Public concerts and talks

  Events open to the public on current topics.

• Charitable foundations and social works

  The lodge is active in charity through its foundations and is a founder and sponsor of social institutions in Zürich.

1. 1Modestia Homepage | Modestia cum libertatemodestia.ch
2. 2Die Loge | Modestia cum libertatemodestia.ch
3. 3Freimaurerloge Modestia cum Libertatewikidata.org