Is Zurich all business? Think again. Lose yourself in its medieval streets, cruise the stunning lake, and indulge in world-class chocolate. Start planning your trip here.
Zurich Beyond Banks: Exploring the Old Town, Lakes & Culture of Switzerland
Zurich (Zürich) is the largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the eponymous German-speaking canton. It is located in the northeastern part of the country in a picturesque area on the shore of Lake Zurich. Zurich is the economic and cultural center of Switzerland, as well as one of the largest financial centers in Europe. But it is not a boring city of banks and headquarters. Zurich is a fascinating place with interesting sights, a well-preserved old town with medieval and Renaissance buildings, and numerous museums and galleries.
Zurich is one of the most expensive cities in the world, but also one of the best in terms of quality of life. The city is known for its cleanliness, orderliness, and liberal atmosphere, which, in its time, attracted historical figures such as: Lenin, Büchner, Jung, and Mann. Zurich suits all tourists: history lovers can stroll through the old town and explore ancient monuments, culture lovers can visit numerous museums and art galleries, and party lovers can explore the clubs, bars, and restaurants.
Geography and Climate
Zurich is located in the northern part of Lake Zurich at the source of the Limmat River, which crosses the historic center. The city is situated in a valley between the Uetliberg and Zürichberg mountains, about 30 km north of the Alps. Therefore, Zurich is sometimes called the “Gateway to the Alps.”
The climate is temperate continental with a warm but rainy summer. Winters are cool with light frosts and an unstable snow cover.
Practical Information
- Population – over 400 thousand people. Metropolitan area – over 1 million.
- Area – 87.93 km².
- Language – German. The most common dialect is Züridüütsch. English and French are also widely spoken.
- Currency – Swiss franc.
- Time – UTC +1, summer +2.
- Visa – Schengen visa.
- Most popular shopping districts: Bahnhofstrasse – one of the most exclusive and expensive shopping streets in the world, running from the main station to the lake; Niederdorf – clothing and shoe shops; Löwenstrasse – supermarket chains and inexpensive stores.
- Do not buy Swiss watches in supermarkets or similar stores. Genuine Swiss watches cannot cost 8-10 francs. It is better to make such purchases in official brand stores. The best inexpensive brands: Swatch, Mondaine. For more expensive ones, consider Tissot.
- Frey and Lindt are leaders on the Swiss chocolate market and offer high quality at a good price.
- We recommend buying traditional Swiss goods at Schweizer Heimatwerk.
- Popular traditional food: fondue, raclette (similar to fondue, but cheese is served with potatoes and pickles), chnöpfli (soft egg noodles with meat), würste (grilled sausages), rösti with meat (grated potato, tastes like potato pancakes), zürigeschnätzlets (veal in a wine sauce).
- The most popular traditional products: cheese, chocolate and sweets, ham and sausage.
History
In ancient times, there was a Celtic settlement on the site of Zurich, which was conquered by the Roman Empire in the 1st century BC. The Romans built a customs post here between Raetia and Belgica and named it Turicum. The first mentions of the city date back to 929 AD.
From the 13th to the 17th centuries, Zurich was an imperial city within the Holy Roman Empire. In 1351, it became a member of the Swiss Confederation. In the 16th century, Zurich became one of the centers of the Reformation, led by Ulrich Zwingli.
From the 16th to the 18th century, Zurich reached its peak. In 1648, it changed its status from an imperial city to a republic. In 1847, the first Swiss railway connected Zurich and Basel. In March 1945, it was mistakenly bombed by the Americans.
How to Get There
Zurich is the largest and most important transport hub in Switzerland. The city has the country’s largest and busiest airport. Regular trains run from the airport to downtown Zurich. The main railway station (Hauptbahnhof) is actually the busiest in the world. The station handles almost 3,000 trains a day and has a passenger traffic of 350,000 to 500,000 passengers daily. It’s no wonder that Zurich is easily accessible from almost any major European city: Barcelona, Bern, or Milan by plane, train, bus, or car.
Sights
The Old Town of Zurich (Altstadt) is a medieval charm of old streets, ancient buildings and churches, as well as the splendor of monumental architecture from the 19th and 20th centuries. Zurich’s Altstadt is located on the eastern bank of the Limmat River and features diverse architecture: from medieval Gothic to modern architectural trends.
In the Middle Ages, Zurich was surrounded by a fortress wall. The old city walls have not survived to this day. The old town is home to all of Zurich’s most famous historical landmarks, making it the center of attraction for all visitors to this wonderful city.
Bahnhofstrasse – the main street of Zurich. This bustling pedestrian thoroughfare runs from the main railway station to Bürkliplatz on the shore of Lake Zurich. Bahnhofstrasse is considered one of the most attractive shopping streets in Europe with many expensive shops and 19th-20th century architecture.
Fraumünster — one of the oldest churches in Zurich, located on the Limmat quay in the old town. The church was founded in 853 by Emperor Louis the German. The current building is a beautiful three-nave columnar basilica from the 13th-15th centuries with a Gothic nave, a Romanesque choir, and an early Gothic transept. Fragments of the crypt from the ancient 9th-century abbey can also be seen here. Interesting features of the Fraumünster: beautiful stained glass windows and the altar.
St. Peter’s Church — the oldest parish church in Zurich, founded in the 9th century. The original structure of the ancient building is still visible under the choir. The current building is Gothic, has a Romanesque choir from the early 13th century, and a Baroque nave with three aisles and galleries. The most interesting feature of St. Peter’s Church is the giant clock on the tower, which is the largest in Europe (dial diameter 8.7 m).
Grossmünster — the largest religious building in Zurich, a Romanesque basilica built between the 11th and 13th centuries. In the 16th century, the church became one of the centers of the Reformation. The most interesting feature of its architecture is the twin towers. The upper levels of the towers were completed at the end of the 15th century.
Along the banks of the Limmat River are several elegant old guild houses with luxurious interiors depicting the wealth of the guilds that ruled Zurich until 1789. Also located here is the town hall, which overhangs the river and is supported by arches of the bridge. It was built between 1694 and 1698 in the late Renaissance style.
Lindenhof — the oldest part of Zurich, located between Bahnhofstrasse and the left bank of the Limmat River. This is where the Romans built their fortified settlement. Later, Charlemagne built a royal residence here. These ancient structures have not survived to this day. Now there is a park here with stunning views of the old town.
Other Sights and Interesting Places in Zurich
Niederdorf — a district in the old town, which is a pedestrian zone. Part of this district is Neumarkt (New Market), founded in the 12th century as a suburb of medieval Zurich.
St. Augustine’s Church — a medieval church from the 12th century, built in the western part of the old town. After the Reformation, the church was converted into a mint workshop. In 1841, the building was returned to its status as a religious structure.
Augustinergasse Street – one of the most beautiful historic streets in Zurich.
Wasserkirche (Water Church) – a Late Gothic church completed in the 15th century. According to legend, it was built on the site where the Christian martyrs Felix and Regula were executed by the Romans.
Liebfrauenkirche was built in 1893 in the style of an early Christian basilica. The tower resembles a Romanesque bell tower.
Schanzengraben – an idyllic waterfront in the center of Zurich. This is a place to enjoy a quiet and peaceful walk.
Things to Do in Zurich:
- Take a boat cruise on the Limmat River through the old town.
- Climb the Uetliberg mountain (871 m) and enjoy a stunning view of Zurich and the lake.
- Take a cruise on the picturesque Lake Zurich. Steamboats depart from Bürkliplatz.
- Visit the Museum of Fine Arts (Kunsthaus Zürich) — important collections of Flemish painting, Italian Baroque, and Venetian Settecento.
- See the collections of the Swiss National Museum — over 800,000 historical and cultural exhibits from antiquity to the 20th century.
- Visit the Zurich Zoo — over 360 animal species.
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