For any tourist who has ever been to Zurich, going to Zurich would be reason enough. Such is the ambience of the city.
Often referred to as ‘downtown Switzerland’ Zurich offers both the pristine landscape that Switzerland is known for and the regular hustle bustle of city life. Rolling green mountains come down to high class shops and bargain markets. Cobbled streets look up at skies bluer than any blue your eyes have seen before. However, for a first time tourist, here is a list of the top five reasons to go to Zurich.
3. Zurich Churches
The twin towers of Grossmünster rise above the smaller, quainter buildings of the city making it the most visible landmark of Zurich. The building, dating back to the twelfth century, sits near the river Limmat. Legend says that Charlemagne had this church built as a choristers’ cloister where he found the graves of Felix and Regula, the martyrs of the city. Huldrych Zwingli, the priest at Grossmünster until 1519 started the Swiss-German reformation from here. Perhaps for this reason, unlike its brethren churches in Europe, the Grossmünster is comparatively austere in décor. Don’t miss the Romanesque crypt, the Reformation museum in the cloister, the Bronze Doors by Munch and the choir window by Giacometti.
Directly across Limmat river stands Fraumünster. Fraumünster was founded by King Louis the German in 853. However, the present structure is from the thirteenth century. The tall slim steeple of the church is visible from far. To mark the founding of the church Paul Bodmer painted a series of frescoes in the cloister. Today Fraumünster is best known for its latest addition ─ the five large stained glass choir windows by Mark Chagall. Red is the Prophets window, Blue the Jacob window, Green is the Christ window, Yellow the Zion window and Blue is the Law window.
St. Peterskirche has a different claim to fame. Its clock face, with a diameter of almost nine meters, is the largest of any other church in Europe. It is Zurich’s oldest parish church. The mix of Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque styles makes for lovely architecture.
2. Zurich Museums
Zurich has no less than forty five museums! Ever been to a museum that feels like a fairy castle. That is the Swiss National Museum. It is a sprawling museum dedicated to Swiss cultural history. It claims to cover all ages from the pre-historic times to the present. Especially worth viewing are the ancient wheels which were discovered in Zurich, probably the oldest such wheels discovered anywhere. Artifacts from the golden period of chivalry and carved wooden altars and statues make up the Middle Ages exhibit. There is also an impressive collection of Swiss-made arms like old crossbows and swords. The beautiful grounds are the ideal backdrop for several events and exhibitions. During winter they put a skating rink and Christmas trees creating a world truly out of some little girl’s fairy tales book.
Kunsthaus Zurich is the Museum for Modern Art in Zurich. In the official website of the Museum, its director Christoph Becker points to how they have paid special attention to achieving the optimum lighting for each painting that shows the work off at its best. And the results are so great that a visitor does not even notice the effort, only the brilliance of the painting. The museum features some of the best works of the 19th and 20th century art. Rodin, Picasso, Chagall, Monet are all prominent displays. A special place has been given to Alberto Giacometti who was a native Swiss.
Museum Rietberg is dedicated to art from countries outside Europe. There are collections of paintings and graphic art from India, China, Japan, Tibet, Africa and the rest of South East Asia.
The Zurich Toy Museum has on display toys from all over Europe beginning from the eighteenth century to the early twentieth century. In this display you can almost see life in Europe thrugh the two and a half centuries, albeit in miniature. There is everything from doll houses, dolls, trains and steam engines.
3. Zurich Gardens
In a country that can so easily be called a garden on earth can there be any dearth of gardens?
The Botanical Garden houses more than fifteen thousand varieties of plants from all over the world belonging to all different climates. It is affiliated to the University of Zurich.
The Zoological Garden is home to almost 260 species of animals. While most of the landscape is kept as natural as possible there is a very special space within the zoo. Want to experience Madagascar in Switzerland? There is the tropical rain forest hall completely authentic in temperature, plant life and animal life.
4. Zurich Streets and views
To view the city inside out, walk the streets or stand further away to create proper perspective. The cobbled streets of Old Town with all its quaint shops and restaurants seem to be out of another era. Bahnhofstrasse is probably the worlds’ richest street with big banks, expensive boutiques, and high end restaurants. Lake Zurich offers numerous boat rides that start from Burkliplatz and from Uetilberg you can catch a birds’ eye view of the city.
5. Zurich Food
In the home of cheese and chocolate can food not be one of the five reasons to go to Zurich? In terms of stars awarded to restaurants per capita the 2005 the Michelin Guide rates Switzerland second in the world. Eat at the restaurants, go chocolate tasting at the Lindt factory, eat dessert at the several Sprungli stores and remember life doesn’t get any better.
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Photo of sky and house in Zurich Old Town by Swisscan
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About the author
Grace lives in India. She loves to travel, not as a tourist, but to soak in the secrets of the nooks and crannies of this amazing planet. She also loves words, expressed through the medium of writing. She firmly believes that a well crafted piece of writing can accomplish ANYTHING!
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