Zurich Hostels

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.

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.
Continue reading

This article about Zurich is written by the orangesmile.com editorial team and is protected by the copyright law. The article can only be re-used with a direct link to www.orangesmile.com