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| Zurich
Sightseeing |
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Sightseeing Overview
Most of Zurich’s attractions lie within the compact area on either side of the River Limmat, between the Hauptbahnhof and Lake Zurich. The burgher houses and churches of the Old Town are clustered here, as are the elegant and stylish shops along Bahnhofstrasse. The Baroque Rathaus (Town Hall) and Zurich’s most remarkable churches – the Grossmünster, Fraumünster and the city’s oldest, St Peterskirche (its clock face is the largest in Europe) – all lie within a short distance of the River Limmat, near to where it opens onto the lake.
Tourist Information
Zürich Tourismus
Bahnhofbrücke 1 (in the Hauptbahnhof)
Telephone: (01) 215 4000.
Fax: (01) 215 4044.
E-mail: information@zuerich.com
Website: www.zuerich.com
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 0800-2030, Sun 0830-1830 (May-Oct); Mon-Sat 0830-1900, Sun 0900-1830 (Nov-Apr).
Passes
The ZurichCARD (SFr15-24 hours, SFr30-72 hours) allows unlimited travel, free admission to over 40 museums, reduced admission to the zoo, complimentary welcome drink at over 20 restaurants and a half-price guided stroll in the old town. Cards are available at train stations and many hotels.
Key Attractions
Grossmünster
The twin towers of this stunning cathedral (the largest in Zurich and the city’s symbol) face onto the River Limmat and are best seen from Rathausbrücke. Originally endowed by Charlemagne, parts of this minster date back to the 11th & 13th centuries, notably the Crypt, which is the largest of its kind in Switzerland. Latest archaeological discoveries suggest the existence of a Roman cemetery underneath the church. There are remains of a Romanesque cloister, 12th century statuary and stained glass in the choir by Augusto Giacometti (Alberto’s cousin). The Karlstrum tower has 187 steps and there is no lift.
Telephone: (01) 252 5949.
Opening hours: Monday-Saturday 0900-1800, Sunday 1200-1800 (15 Mar-31 Oct); daily 1000-1700 (1 Nov-15 Mar).
Admission free (charge for tower).
Fraumünster
Even though this beautiful church dates from the ninth century (when it was a Benedictine abbey), it is often the five 20th-century stained-glass windows in the choir by Marc Chagall (1970) that catch the attention of visitors. These glass works of art are best seen in morning light. The church was begun in the 12th century, although the undercroft contains the original abbey crypt. The Fraumünster spire is a well-designed and notable landmark dating from 1732. The rest of the church is predominantly Gothic, though the choir is Romanesque. Originally the site was endowed by Charlemagne’s grandson, the German king Ludwig, in 853 and later became the church of the Zurich noblewomen’s convent. The stained glass windows in the north transept are by Augusto, Alberto Giacometti’s cousin.
Münsterhof
Telephone: (01) 211 4100.
Opening hours: Daily 1000-1200 and 1400-1700 (Mar-Apr); daily 0900-1230 and 1400-1800 (May-Sep); daily 1000-1230, 1400-1700 (Oct); Monday-Saturday 1000-1200, 1400-1600 (Nov-Feb).
Admission free.
Kunsthaus Zürich (Zurich Art Gallery)
The city’s most important art gallery, boasting a collection of paintings and sculptures by Swiss and international masters, covering most periods from medieval times but predominately from the 19th and 20th centuries. Two of Monet’s Water Lilies paintings and the biggest collection of Eduard Munch’s works outside Norway can be found here, as well as many works by Füssli and Hodler and important works by Expressionists like Kokoschka, Bechmann and Corinth. There are good collections of photography, the Dadaists and Alberto Giacometti, as well as an important library. Tours are available in English if reserved in advance. The gallery is now being renovated, and is due to reopen in 2005.
Heimplatz 1
Telephone: (01) 253 8484.
Website: www.kunsthaus.ch
Opening hours: Tuesday-Thursday 1000-2100, Friday-Sunday 1000-1700.
Admission charge.
Schweizerisches Landesmuseum
(Swiss National Museum)
The Swiss National Museum lies on a landscaped triangle between the Hauptbahnhof and the Limmat and Sihl rivers, and has fulfilled the role of the nation’s attic for more than a century. Extraordinary exhibits in this castle like museum supplement the permanent display of items related to Switzerland and Swiss culture. These include not only sculpture and paintings but also weapons, flags, watches, clocks, tools, toys and prehistoric objects.
Museumstrasse 2
Telephone: (01) 218 6511 or 65.
Website: www.musee-suisse.ch or www.slmnet.ch
Opening hours: Tues-Sun 1100-1700.
Admission charge.
Zunfthaus zur Meisen (‘zur Meisen’ Guild Hall)
The ‘zur Meisen’ Guild Hall, opposite the Fraumünster, has exhibits of the 18th century Swiss pottery and china. The stylish Rococo galleries are a suitable setting for the beautifully decorated porcelain figurines that were produced in Kilchberg-Schooren, Zurich and other porcelain and pottery factories. The building itself, built in the year 1757, expresses a Baroque aesthetic and is considered to be the most beautiful of all the Zürich guild houses.
ünsterhof 20
Telephone: (01) 221 2807.
Website: www.musee-suisse.ch or www.slmnet.ch
Opening hours: Tuesday-Sunday 1030-1700.
Admission charge.
Museum Rietberg
The collection of the Rietberg Museum of Non-European Art is housed inside three buildings. Two of these, dating from the 1850s, are set inside the Rieterpark. The Villa Wesendonck has special exhibitions in addition to its collection of Chinese, Indian and African art (the core of which is the sculpture collection donated by Baron Eduard von der Heydt), while the Park-Villa Rieter has paintings from China, Japan and India. The third building, Haus zum Kiel, Hirschengraben 20, has gyratory exhibitions. There are occasional world music concerts in the Park Villa Rieter.
Villa Wesendonck and Park-Villa Rieter
Gablerstrasse 15
Telephone: (01) 206 3131.
Website: www.rietberg.ch
Opening hours: Tuesday and Thursday-Sunday 1000-1700, Wednesday 1000-2000 (Apr-Sep); Tuesday-Sunday 1000-1700 (Oct-Mar).
Admission charge.
Haus zum Kiel
Hirschengraben 20
Telephone: (01) 261 9652.
Website: www.rietberg.ch
Opening hours: Tuesday and Thursday-Sun 1000-1700, Wednesday 1000-2000 (Apr-Sep); Tuesday-Sunday 1000-1700 (Oct-Mar).
Admission charge.
Migros Museum für Gegenwartskunst
(Museum of Contemporary Art)
Dedicated to collecting and exhibiting modern art, especially from the 1990s, the Museum of Contemporary Art features a core collection of works of the Migros Co-operative Society in the open-concept exhibition space. These create a dialogue with rotating exhibitions and special installations. There are both solo as well as group exhibitions.
Limmatstrasse 270
Telephone: (01) 277 2050.
Website: www.migrosmuseum.ch
Opening hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 1200-1800, Thursday 1200-2000, Saturday and Sunday 1100-1700.
Admission charge.
Further Distractions
Zoo Zürich
The open, park-like enclosures of the Zurich zoo houses some 1,500 animals from points near and far, in areas that duplicate the animals’ natural environments. The zoo’s animals draws crowds during feeding times. A complex replicates Madagascar’s Masoala rainforest. There are several good restaurants at the zoo, including the Altes Klösterli, Siesta and Outpost.
ürichbergstrasse 221
Telephone: (044) 254 2505 or (0848) 966 983.
Website: www.zoo.ch
Opening hours: Daily 0900-1800 (Mar-Oct); daily 0900-1700 (Nov-Feb).
Admission charge.
Botanischer Garten
Zurich’s Botanical Gardens make for an amazing place to get away from it all. Inside are more than a million plants that include the university’s botanical collection, representing a number of different ecosystems from tropical rainforests to alpine meadow flowers.
Zollikerstrasse 107
Telephone:(01) 634 8461.
Website: www.unizh.ch/bguz
Opening hours: Monday-Friday 0700-1900, Saturday and Sunday 0800-1800 (Mar-Sep); Monday-Friday 0800-1800, Saturday and Sunday 0800-1700 (Oct-Feb).
Admission free.
Uetliberg (Ütliberg)
At an altitude of 871m this is the tallest point in the city, with views over Zurich, the lake and the Alps. The Uetliberg is part of Albis ridge. There is a 1.5 - 2 hours walk to Felsenegg, from where a cable car connects to Adliswil station, which has connections on S-Bahn line S4 to the city. A 24 hour trainor cable car pass is available. The SZU Sihltal Zürich Uetliberg Bahn, S10, goes to the top of the city’s peak (departing from several stations, including the Hauptbahnhof). A restored 1920s electric railway car can also be rented for groups. The hotel and restaurant Uto Kulm is a brilliant venue from which to look down upon the city.
Uto Kulm
Telephone: (01) 457 6666.
Website: www.uetliberg.ch
Opening hours: Daily 0730-2300. |
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