Sightseeing OverviewMost of Zurich’s sights lie within the compact area on either side of the River Limmat, between the Hauptbahnhof and Lake Zurich. The churches and burgher houses of the
Old Town are clustered here, as are the elegant shops along
Bahnhofstrasse. The baroque
Rathaus (Town Hall), Zurich’s most impressive churches
- the
Grossmünster,
Fraumünster - and the city’s oldest, St Peterskirche (its clock face is the largest in Europe), all lie within a short distance of the
River Limmat, near the point
at which it opens onto the lake.
Tourist InformationZürich Tourismus Bahnhofbrücke 1 (in the Hauptbahnhof)
Tel: (044) 215 4000.
Website:
www.zuerich.comOpening hours: Mon-Sat 0800-2030, Sun 0830-1830 (May-Oct); Mon-Sat 0830-1900, Sun 0900-1830 (Nov-Apr).
PassesThe
ZürichCARD (available for 24 or 72 hours) allows unlimited travel within the Zurich canton, free admission to over 40 museums, reduced admission to the zoo, complimentary welcome drink at over 20 restaurants and a half-price guided stroll in the Old Town. You can buy the cards at the train stations, many hotels and some of the main
VBZ ticket offices around town (including Central, Paradeplatz and Bellevue).
Key Attractions:Grossmünster The twin towers of this attractive cathedral (the largest in Zurich and the city’s symbol) face onto the River Limmat and are best seen from Rathausbrücke. Originally endowed by Charlemagne, parts of this minster date back to the 11th and 13th centuries, notably the crypt, which is the largest of its kind in Switzerland. Recent archaeological discoveries suggest the existence of a Roman cemetery underneath the church. There are remains of a romanesque cloister, 12th-century statuary and stained glass in the choir by Augusto Giacometti (Alberto’s cousin). The Karlsturm tower has 187 steps; there is no lift.
Grossmünsterplatz
Tel: (044) 252 5949.
Website:
www.grossmuenster.ch Opening hours: Daily 0900-1800 (15 Mar-31 Oct); daily 1000-1700 (1 Nov-14 Mar). Tower: Mon-Sat 0915-1700, Sun 1230-1700 (15 Mar-Oct); Mon-Fri 1000- 1630, Sun 1230-1630 (Nov-14 Mar, weather permitting).
Free admission (charge for tower).
Fraumünster Although this beautiful church dates from the ninth century (when it was a Benedictine abbey), it is often the five 20th-century stained-glass windows in the choir by Marc Chagall (1970) that attract visitors. These glass works of art are best seen in the morning light. The current church dates from the 13th century, although the undercroft contains the original abbey crypt. The Fraumünster spire is an elegant and notable landmark dating from 1732. The rest of the church is predominantly gothic, although the choir is romanesque. The site was originally endowed by Charlemagne’s grandson, the German king Ludwig, in 853 and later became the church of the Zurich noblewomen’s convent. The stained-glass windows in the north transept are by Alberto Giacometti’s cousin, Augusto.
Am Münsterhofplatz
Tel: (044) 211 4100.
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 1000-1800, Sun 1115-1800 (Apr-Oct); Mon-Sat 1000-1600, Sun 1115-1600 (Nov-Mar).
Closed during services.
Free admission.
Kunsthaus Zürich (Zurich Art Gallery)
This is the city’s most important art gallery, boasting a collection of paintings and sculptures by Swiss and international masters, covering most periods from medieval times but predominately from the 19th and 20th centuries. Two of Monet’s
Water Lilies paintings and the largest collection of Edvard Munch’s works outside Norway can be found here, as well as expressionist pieces by Kokoschka, Beckmann and Corinth. Pieces by the Dadaists and the world’s most important collection of work by Alberto Giacometti are a highlight. Tours are available in English if reserved beforehand.
Heimplatz 1
Tel: (044) 253 8484.
Website:
www.kunsthaus.chOpening hours: Tues, Sat-Sun 1000-1800, Wed-Fri 1000-2000. Closed Mon.
Admission charge.
Schweizerisches Landesmuseum (Swiss National Museum) The Swiss National Museum
lies on a landscaped triangle of parkland between the Hauptbahnhof and the Limmat and Sihl rivers, and has fulfilled the role of the nation’s attic for over a century. Special exhibits in this castle-like museum supplement the permanent display of items related to Switzerland and Swiss culture. These include not only paintings and sculpture but also weapons, flags, watches, clocks, tools, toys and prehistoric objects.
Museumstrasse 2
Tel: (044) 218 6511.
Website:
www.musee-suisse.chOpening hours: Tues-Sun 1100-1700.
Admission charge.
Zunfthaus zur Meisen (‘zur Meisen’ Guild Hall) The ’zur Meisen’
Guild Hall, opposite the Fraumünster, has exhibits of 18th-century Swiss pottery and china. The elegant rococo galleries are an appropriate setting for the beautifully decorated porcelain figurines that were produced in Kilchberg-Schooren, Zurich and other porcelain and pottery factories. The building itself, built in 1757, is considered to be the most beautiful of all the Zürich guild houses.
Münsterhof 20
Tel: (044) 221 2807.
Website:
www.musee-suisse.chOpening hours: Tues-Sun 1000-1700.
Admission charge.
Museum Rietberg The collection of the Rietberg Museum of Non-European Art
is the only art museum for non-European cultures in Switzerland. It is housed within two buildings dating from the 1850s which are set within the Rieterpark. The
Villa Wesendonck has special exhibitions in addition to its collection of Indian, Chinese and African art (the core of which is the sculpture collection donated by Baron Eduard von der Heydt), while the
Park-Villa Rieter has paintings from China, Japan and India. The latter also holds occasional world music concerts.
Villa Wesendonck and Park-Villa Rieter Gablerstrasse 15
Tel: (044) 206 3131.
Website:
www.rietberg.ch Opening hours: Fri-Tues 1000-1700, Wed-Thurs 1000-2000.
Admission charge.
Migros Museum für Gegenwartskunst (Museum of Contemporary Art) Devoted to collecting and exhibiting contemporary art, especially from the 1990s, the Museum of Contemporary Art features a core collection of works of the Migros Co-operative Society in the open-concept exhibition space. These create a dialog with the rotating exhibitions and special installations. There are both solo and group exhibitions.
Limmatstrasse 270
Tel: (044) 277 2050.
Website:
www.migrosmuseum.chOpening hours: Tues, Wed, Fri 1200-1800, Thurs 1200-2000, Sat and Sun 1100-1700.
Admission charge.
Further Distractions:Zoo Zürich The open, park-like enclosures of the Zurich zoo house some 1,500 animals from points near and far, in areas that replicate the animals’ natural environments. The zoo’s animals draw crowds during feeding times (details are available on the website). A complex duplicates Madagascar’s Masoala rainforest. There are several good restaurants at the zoo, including the Altes Klösterli
, Siesta and Outpost.
Zürichbergstrasse 221
Tel: (044) 254 2505
or 0848 966 983.
Website:
www.zoo.ch Opening hours: Daily 0900-1800 (Mar-Oct); daily 0900-1700 (Nov-Feb).
Admission charge.
Botanischer Garten (Botanical Gardens)Zurich University’s Botanical Gardens make for a wonderful place to get away from it all. Inside are over a million plants that comprise the university’s botanical collection, representing a number of different ecosystems from tropical rainforests to alpine meadow flowers.
Zollikerstrasse 107
Tel: (044) 634 8461.
Website:
www.unizh.ch/bguz Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0700-1900, Sat and Sun 0800-1800 (Mar-Sep); Mon-Fri 0800-1800, Sat and Sun 0800-1700 (Oct-Feb).
Free admission.
Üetliberg At an elevation of 871m (2,857ft) this is the tallest point in the city, with views over Zurich, the lake and (on a clear day) the Alps. The Üetliberg is part of the Albis ridge. There is a one-and-a-half to two-hour walk to Felsenegg, from where a cablecar connects to Adliswil station, which has connections on S-Bahn line S4 to the city. A 24-hour train/cablecar pass is available. The
SZU Sihltal Zürich Uetliberg Bahn (website:
www.szu.ch), S10, goes to the top of the city’s peak (departing from many stations, including the Hauptbahnhof). A restored 1920s electric railway car can also be hired for groups. The hotel and restaurant Uto Kulm is an excellent venue from which to look down upon the city.
Website:
www.uetliberg.ch
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The Columbus World Travel Guide has been published for 26 years and is sold in over 90 countries worldwide.
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