Sightseeing in Zurich - what to see. Complete travel guide

Zurich is the largest city and economic center of Switzerland. The number of residents of the city is 340,000 people. Approximately 30% of them came from other countries. The city is situated on the bank of the Limmat River and on the shore of Lake Zurich. Zurich is internationally famous mostly as the city of banks and a large business center, but it still has something to surprise its guests - museums, designer clothes shops, parks and a vibrant nightlife. In other words, this city is worth seeing.

The building of the railway station, built in 1871 in the neo-Renaissance style, is one of the most famous landmarks in Zurich and its main symbol. There is a modern shopping center under the building of the station. The ceiling of the huge waiting hall immediately catches the eye – there is a large modern sculpture that looks as if it is flying there. This is the guardian angel of the station by French sculptor Niki de Saint Phalle. Made in bright, vivid colors, the sculpture contrasts sharply with the predominantly gray tones of the building. There is also a large stone monument dedicated to Alfred Escher in front of the building. He was a famous financier, politician, government official, bank founder, and a man who did much for the construction and development of railways in Switzerland.

The Fraumunster Abbey.
Fraumünster is a former monastery church, located in Munster Square. It was founded by the grandson of Karl the Great, Ludwig the German. The church was a gift to his daughter Hildegard, who became the abbess of the monastery. During its centuries long history the church has undergone numerous changes. Its design has become the mix of different architectural styles - the naves of the church are made in the Gothic style, its transept features the early Gothic style, and its choirs are made in the late Romanesque style. The Fraumünster Abbey is mostly known for five stained glass windows made by Marc Chagall. Each of these windows has its own theme and its own color. The north wing of the cross aisle is the location of a large stained glass window with a huge image of paradise. The author of this masterpiece was Augusto Giacometti. In the end of the last century the site of the monastery was occupied by the City Hall. All that has left from the church is just a covered gallery around the cloister. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Grossmunster Cathedral.
Grossmünster Cathedral is the largest cathedral in Zurich. According to a legend, it was founded by Charles the Great in the beginning of the IX century on the site of the tomb of Felix and Regula, Christian martyrs who were executed by the Romans, but they miraculously got up and, holding their heads in their hands, walked to the hill. There, on the hill, they prayed and then died. This magic hill was chosen as the place for the cathedral. The construction of the Roman-Gothic church was started in 1100. However, the building was finished only in the XV century. Humanist Ulrich Zwingli used the pulpit of Grossmünster to spread his ideas of the Reformation. During this period, according to beliefs of Zwingli, all furniture and decorations were removed from the church. The large crypt of Grossmünster is the place where visitors will see a beautiful monument dedicated to Charlemagne. The monument was created in the XV century. The stained-glass windows of the church are made by Augusto Giacometti.

The Fluntern Cemetery.
Friedhof Fluntern is famous because it has become the burial place of James Joyce, an Irish writer and a staunch pacifist, who found a refuge in neutral Switzerland during the First World War. Zurich was the place where he created one of the most significant works of world literature – “Ulysses”. Not long before his death in 1941, Joyce returned to Zurich, where he was buried in the Fluntern Cemetery. There is a large monument on the tomb of the writer, so it is almost impossible to miss.

The Kunsthaus Museum.
The Kunsthaus is one of the most important museums of Zurich. It is no less interesting than museums in larger cities. Numerous temporary exhibitions presented at the London Tate Modern were either designed or owned by the Kunsthaus. The permanent exhibition includes a rich collection of sculptures by Alberto Giacometti, the largest collection of Munch works outside Norway, numerous works by Monet, Van Gogh and sculptures by Rodin. Besides this, the museum is a great opportunity to learn something new about the Swiss art - the museum exhibits a large collection of works by Ferdinand Hodler, who lived in the XIX century and was the creator of patriotic paintings. Visitors will also be interested in beautiful and lively works of modern masters - Fischli & Weiss. (Some time ago Fischli & Weiss threatened to sue the advertising agency that had created the famous series of Honda advertisements. In these ads various parts started moving one after another, and this movement resembled “The movement of things” movie, created by Fischli & Weiss in 1987).

The Opera House.
The Opera House in Zurich was the first opera house in Europe with electric lighting. The neo Baroque building of the Opera House was constructed in 1891. The building stood on 1800 oak piles on the shore of Lake Zurich, and was opened by Wagner's opera "Lohengrin". Starting from 1996, the Zurich Ballet has been headed by Heinz Spoerli, one of the world's most respected choreographers of our time. The art director of the Opera House has been Alexander Pereira (since 1991). He performs his duties with a great enthusiasm. As a rule, 15 out of 50 performances are premieres, so the Opera House in Zurich offers its visitors the highest number of opera premieres in Europe.

The Zurich Design Museum.
The Zurich Design Museum is an interesting place, where the concept of "design" is interpreted broadly. Here you will be able to see amazing exhibitions that are devoted to, for example, how Bollywood movies are filmed in Switzerland or exhibitions devoted to the analyses of dendrites, tree-like structures that can only be found in nature. A separate exhibition is dedicated to different types of "take-out" packaging. There is also a large collection of posters. Visitors of the museum will there a lot of non-standard collections and ideas.