Zurich: a Visitor's Guide

Zurich is a city of about 370,000 (there are approximately 1.3 million inhabitants in the canton of Zurich) and is the largest city in Switzerland. An internationally known world center of finance, Zurich is also a cultural hub, providing the nearly one million visitors who come to Zurich annually a unique combination of old world charm and new world sophistication.

Perhaps the first thing a visitor should know about Zurich is that the tram system is probably the best way to get around. There are nearly two dozen lines, and they overlap quite a bit, especially in the historic center, but they are clean, convenient, and punctual. If you remember the Matt Damon film, The Bourne Identity, Zurich's blue trams were featured in the movie.

There are three historic churches of note, and they are all within walking distance to each other, the Grossmünster, the Fraumünster, and St. Peter's Church.

The Grossmünster was founded by Charlemagne, and its present Romanesque building dates to 1220. It is probably best known, however, for its role in the Protestant Reformation, which was initiated in Switzerland by Huldrych Zwingli in 1520. The church has two towers, one of which is open to the public. At the top of the spiral staircase, there is an open-air observatory featuring wonderful views of Zurich.

The nearby Fraumünster dates to approximately the 10^th Century and is today famous for its collection of stained glass windows by Marc Chagall. Executed in 1967 by an 80 year-old Chagall, these windows are a marvelous surprise for any visitor.

The oldest parish church in Zurich is St. Peter's, whose current building dates to the early 13^th Century. It is best known for its large clock face, which was added in 1534. It is known by many to be the largest clock face in Europe, measuring at 28.5ft/8.7m in diameter.

The Landesmuseum, or Swiss National Museum, is centrally located near the main train station and is considered one of the most impressive museums of its kind in Europe, covering Swiss history and culture from the pre-historic era to contemporary times.