Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland, an important economic, commercial and cultural center. The city occupies an honorable second place in the top three European cities with the most favorable conditions for life and human development. The history of Zurich goes back more than one century. Ancient temples, the richest museum collections and modern architecture are just some of what you should go to Zurich for.
Zurich harbors a special charm inherent only in the ancient cities of Western Europe. Excellent architecture ahead of its time, beautiful embankments and wrought-iron bridges, cobbled winding streets of old quarters, cozy cafes with open terraces and lovely shops, crossing the threshold of which, as if you find yourself in the distant past, this is how the city appears to curious tourists. However, one has only to deviate a little from the standard tourist route, and Zurich will open from a completely different side. Modern Zurich is a vibrant, distinctive and dynamic metropolis.
Walk along Bahnhofstrasse
Bahnhofstrasse is a pedestrian avenue, from which it is most convenient to start exploring the Swiss city. Banks, trendy boutiques and European restaurants line both sides of the wide street. At the very beginning of the avenue is the railway station building - one of the most popular attractions in Zurich. Here, in the waiting room, there is an unusual sculpture - an angel hovering from the ceiling. Made in vibrant colors, it stands out sharply against the gray walls.
Continuing the journey from the station towards the lake, guests of the city will be able to get to the Burkliplatz square. In the warm season, lively fun always reigns here. From Bahnhofstrasse you can go to the Parade Square, where some of the best pastry shops are open, as well as get to the Old Town - a historic quarter, where buildings from the Middle Ages have been preserved.
Attractions of the Old Town
The main decoration of the historical part of Zurich is St. Peter's Church. The shrine is over a thousand years old. Visitors to the city can find the temple along the characteristic tall clock tower. For a long time, this watch was the largest in all of Europe. Throughout its existence, St. Peter's Church has been rebuilt more than once, which explains its unique appearance, which combines different architectural styles.
The second, no less interesting structure of the Old Town is the Fraumünster Abbey. This magnificent building attracts tourists with its delightful interior decoration, which was worked on by such outstanding craftsmen as Paul Bodmer, Augusto Giacometti and Marc Chagall. In addition, the Fraumünster has the largest organ in the canton, with more than five and a half thousand pipes. The Cathedral often hosts classical music concerts accompanied by its own mixed choir.
On the opposite bank of the Limmat River stands perhaps the most beautiful religious building in Zurich - the Grossmünster Cathedral. The graceful monastery with two tall twin towers is equipped with viewing platforms. In order to climb one of the towers, you need to overcome 184 steps. From a height of several tens of meters, a fascinating view of the quarters of the historical center and the picturesque Lake Zurich opens up.
Zurich's most visited museum
In Zurich, there are more than three dozen museums and at least the same number of exhibition galleries. Choosing the most authoritative place, you can safely go to the Kunsthaus - Switzerland's largest museum of fine arts. The permanent exposition of the exhibition is represented by works of world famous European artists of the 15-21 centuries. Demonstrations of paintings by Monet, Picasso, Van Gogh, Rubens and Dali are often held in the Kunsthaus.
City zoo
Zurich is home to one of the best zoos in Europe, worth visiting even for skeptical animal rights activists. The huge territory of the menagerie is divided into continents, each of which has unique climatic conditions that are as close as possible to the natural habitat of animals. In one excursion in the city zoo of Zurich, you can see almost the entire animal world of the planet!
