Zurich (Switzerland) – the most detailed information about the city with photos. The main attractions of Zurich with a description, guides and cards.
Contents
City Zurich (Switzerland)
Zurich – the largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the same name German-speaking canton. Located in the northeastern part of the country in a picturesque area on the shores of Lake Zurich. Zurich – Switzerland’s economic and cultural center, as well as one of largest financial centers in Europe. But this is not a boring city. banks and headquarters. Zurich is a fascinating place with interesting sights, well preserved old a city with medieval and renaissance buildings, many museums and galleries.
Zurich is one of the most expensive cities in the world, but at the same time, one of the best in quality of life. City known for its cleanliness, neatness and liberal atmosphere which, in its time, attracted such historical figures as: Lenin, Buchner, Jung, Mann. Zurich is suitable for all tourists: history lovers can walk around the old town and study ancient cultural attractions – visit numerous museums and art galleries, party lovers – walk along clubs, bars and restaurants.
Zurich
- Geography and climate
- Practical information
- Story
- How to get there
- sights
- Video
- Maps and guides
- Comments and reviews
Geography and climate
Zurich is located in the northern part of Lake Zurich at the source of the river Limmat, which crosses the historical center. The city is in valley between the mountains Utliberg and Zurichberg 30 km north of the Alps. Therefore, Zurich is sometimes called the “gateway to the Alps.”
Autumn in Zurich
The climate is temperate continental with warm but rainy summer. Winters are cool with slight frosts and unstable snow cover.
Practical information
- The population is more than 400 thousand people. Agglomeration – more than 1 million
- The area is 87.93 km2.
- The language is German. The most common is the dialect Züridüütsch. English and French are also widely are common.
- Currency – Swiss franc.
- Time – UTC +1, summer +2.
- Visa – Schengen.
- Most popular shopping districts: Bahnhofstrasse is one of The most exclusive and expensive shopping streets in the world that passes from the main station to the lake, Niederdorf – clothing and shoe stores, Löwenstrasse – supermarket chains and low-cost stores.
- Do not buy Swiss watches in supermarkets or other similar stores. Real Swiss watches can not cost 8-10 francs. It is better to make such purchases in company stores. The best low-cost brands: Swatch, Mondaine. Of the more expensive cost pay attention to Tissot.
- Frey and Lindt are leaders in the Swiss chocolate market and offers high quality at a bargain price.
- Traditional Swiss products recommend buying in Schweizer Heimatwerk.
- Popular traditional food: fondue (fondue), raclette (seems fondue, only cheese is served with potatoes and marinades), chnöpfli (soft egg noodles with meat), würste (grilled sausages), rösti with meat (grated potatoes, taste like potato pancakes), zürigeschnätzlets (veal in wine sauce).
- Of the traditional products, the most popular are cheese, chocolate and sweets, ham and sausage.
Story
In antiquity on the site of Zurich there was a Celtic settlement, which in the 1st century BC was conquered by the Roman Empire. The romans built a customs post here between Rezia and Belgica and called his Turikum. The first mention of the city dates back to 929 year.
Old city
In the 13-17 centuries, Zurich was an imperial city in the Holy Roman empire. In 1351 he became a member of the Swiss Union. At 16 century, Zurich became one of the center of the Reformation, which was headed Ulrich Zwingli.
Zurich in winter
From the 16th to the 18th century Zurich reached its highest peak. In 1648 changed the status from the imperial city to the status of the republic. In 1847 The first Swiss railway connected Zurich and Basel. AT March 1945 was mistakenly bombarded by Americans.
How to get there
Zurich is the largest and most important transport hub of Switzerland. The city has the largest and busiest airport in the country. There are regular trains from the airport to the center of Zurich. Main the train station (Hauptbahnhof) is generally the largest in the world. The station takes almost 3,000 trains per day and has passenger traffic from 350,000 to 500,000 people daily. No wonder Zurich is easily accessible from almost any large European cities by plane, train, bus or by car.
Zurich
sights
Zurich’s Old Town is the medieval charm of the old streets, old buildings and churches, as well as the brilliance of monumental architecture of the 19-20th century. Zurich Altstadt is located on the east Limmat River and has a diverse architecture: from medieval gothic to modern architectural trends.
Old city
In the Middle Ages, Zurich was surrounded by a fortress wall. Until our time old city walls are not preserved. In the old town all the most famous historical landmarks are located Zurich, so it is the center of attraction for all guests this wonderful city.
Bahnhofstrasse
Bahnhofstrasse is the main street of Zurich. This lively pedestrian the highway runs from the main train station to Bürkliplatz on the shores of Lake Zurich. Bahnhofstrasse is considered one of the most attractive shopping streets in Europe with many expensive shops and architecture of the 19-20th century.
Fraumunster
Fraumunster is one of the oldest churches of Zurich, located on the Limmat quay in the old town. The church was founded in 853 year by Emperor Ludwig. Modern building is beautiful a three-tier pillar basil of 13-15 centuries with a gothic nave, Romanesque altar and early gothic transept. Also here you can see fragments of the crypt from the time of the 9th century ancient abbey. Interesting features of Fraumunster: beautiful stained glass windows and altar.
Church of sv. Petra
Church of sv. Petra is the oldest parish church in Zurich, founded in the 9th century. The original structure of the ancient building is still visible under the altar. The current building is Gothic, has a Romanesque choir. the beginning of the 13th century and the baroque nave with three aisles and galleries. The most interesting feature of the church of sv. Petra are gigantic The clock on the tower, which is the largest in Europe (diameter dial 8.7 m).
Grossmünster
Grossmünster – the largest religious building in Zurich, Imposing Romanesque Basilica, built between the 11th and 13th centuries. In the 16th century, the church became one of the centers of the Reformation. Most An interesting feature of its architecture are the twin towers. The upper levels of the towers were completed at the end of the 15th century.
Old houses along river Limmat
Along the Limmat River Embankment there are several elegant old guild houses with luxurious interiors reflecting the wealth of the guilds who ruled Zurich until 1789. Here too the town hall is located, which hangs over the river and is supported arches of the bridge. It was built between 1694 and 1698 in the style late renaissance.
Lindenhof
Lindenhof – the oldest part of Zurich, located between Bahnhofstrasse and the left bank of the Limmat river. It is here that the Romans built their fortified settlement. In the future, Charlemagne built a royal residence here. Until our time, these ancient buildings are not preserved. Now here is a park with stunning views of the old city.
Limmat River
Other sights and attractions of Zurich
Niederdorf
Niederdorf – the area of the old town, which is a pedestrian zone. Part of this area is Neumarkt (New Market), founded in the 12th century as a suburb of medieval Zurich.
Church of sv. Augustine
Church of sv. Augustine – the medieval church of the 12th century, built in the western part of the old town. After the Reformation the church was converted into a coin minting workshop. In 1841 year the building was returned to the status of a religious building.
Augustinian the outside
Avgustinskaya street (Augustinergasse) – one of the most beautiful historic streets of Zurich.
Water church
Water Church (Wasserkirche) – Late Gothic Church, completed in the 15th century. According to legend, built in the place where they were Christian martyrs Felix and Regula were executed by the Romans.
Liebfraukirchen
Liebfraukirchen was built in 1893 in the style early Christian basilica. The tower resembles a Romanesque bell tower.
Schanzengraben
Schanzengraben – idyllic embankment in the center of Zurich. In that the place you can enjoy a quiet and relaxing walk.
What to do in Zurich:
- Limmat boat cruise through the old town.
- Climb Utliberg mountain (871 m) and enjoy the spectacular overlooking Zurich and the lake.
- Cruise on the picturesque lake Zurich. Steamers departure Happens to Bürkliplatz.
- A visit to the Museum of Fine Arts – important collections of the Flemish painting, Italian Baroque and Venetian Settechento.
- See the collections of the Swiss National Museum – more 800,000 historical and cultural exhibits from antiquity to 20 century.
- Visit the Zurich Zoo – more than 360 species animals.
Video
Maps and guides
Map of Zurich Region Map
