Zürich

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Introduction

Zurich

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Zürich is the largest city in Switzerland and is considered the cultural and commercial centre of the country. Set up as a tax collecting town during the 1st century AD of the Roman Empire. The city slowly grew into a major center and in 1351 it joined the Swiss Confederation, although it was expelled from the federation from 1440 to 1451. The city kept growing and was spared most of the savages of both World Wars because of Swiss neutrality.

Today the city is home to great churches, museums and stunning culture. There are several city wide festivals that are worth checking out. From 2006 to 2008 this global city was named one of the best cities to live because of a great quality of life.

Districts

• Altstadt is the 1st district and is around the old town, which crosses both side of the Limmat River.
• District 2 is on the west side of Lake Zürich.
• Wiedikon is District 3
• Aussersihl is District 4
• Industriequartier is District 5
• District 6
• District 7
• Riesbach is District 8 and is on the eastern side of Lake Zürich
• District 9
• District 10
• District 11
• Schwamendingen

Sights and Activities

Grossmünster

Grossmünster is an amazing Romanesque-style church and was extremely important place during the Protestant Reformation. The church was built in its present from in 1220 to add to the cities impressive architecture. In 1520 Huldrych Zwingli started the Swiss-German Reformation at this church and set the president for many changes for the church, such as the abandonment of lent, replacement of the Mass, disavowal of celibacy, eating meat on fast days and a band on church music.

Other Churches

• The Fraumünster Abbey was originally built in 853 with several additions added later. The distinctive tall bell tower and the 5 Marc Chagall windows cannot be missed.
• St. Peters is a wonderful church that is home to the world's largest church clock face in the world.

Museums

• Museum Barengasse is a museum dedicated to the 17th history legacy of the city.
• Kunsthaus Zürich is one of the best art museums in Europe and has a great collection ranging from the Middle Ages to Contemporary Art.
• Museum Rietberg is an art museum dedicated to the arts of Asia, Africa, America and Oceania.
• Museum Bellerive is dedicated to fasion, architecture and design. The musuem is located on a villa on the beach of Lake Zurich.
• Kunsthalle Zurich
• Migros Museum is dedicated to modern and avant-garde international art.
• Museum of Design Zurich
• Swiss National Museum is a history and art musuem.
• Johann Jacobs Museum is a history museum dedicated to fine colonial food and coffee.
• Johanna Spyri Museum
• Haus Konstruktiv is dedicated to constructive, concrete and conceptual art and design
• NOMAN is the North American Native Museum and will reopen February 8th, 2009.
• Museum of the History of Medicine
• Uhrenmuseum Beyer is dedicated to the hisotry of timekeeping and timekeepers.

Other Sights and Activities

• Lindenhof is the site of a Roman and medieval castle.
• The Guild Houses are located along the river downstream of the Grossmunster.
• The Old Town is a great place to explore on both sides of the river
• Bahnofstrasse is the main shopping street in Zurich.
• Parade-Platz is a stunning plaza and the centre for financial activity in the country.
• Lake Zurich is a wonderful lake and great green space.
• Fluntern Cemetery
• Zurich Opera House is a wonderful opera house and one of the most famous in the world.

Events and Festivals

• Street Parade is a huge street party held every year.
• Sechseläuten is a large festival sponsored by the guild houses. The festival is held every year in April and features the burning of the Böögg.
• Zürcher Theater Spektakel is an international theater festival.
• Kunst Zürich is an international contemporary art fair.

Weather

The warmest months are June to August with most of the rain happening during these months. Temperatures are between 23 and 25 degrees. The coldest months are from November to March, between 2 and 5 during the day, -3 at night. Zurich is wetter than many other parts of the country, with especially much rain in summer. Some snow is possible in winter.

Getting There

By Plane

Zürich Airport (IATA: ZHR, ICAO: LASZH) is also known as the Kloten Airport and is located 10 km from the city. It is Switzerland's largest airport and hub for Swiss International Air Lines. It is possible to fly to every major and minor airport in Europe and most international destinations from here. There is a train station located under the airport making for quick and easy connections to the city.

By Train

Zürich Hauptbahnhof is the main train station in Zürich and handles more then 2,700 trains daily with more then 340,000 passengers a day. The station was originally opened in 1847 and has only grown. Tram lines 4, 11, 13 and 14 have stops at this train station. The large mall underneath the train station is a good place to go on sundays because it stays open and busy while the rest of the city tends to shut down.

By Car

By Bus

By Boat

Getting Around

By Car

By Public Transport

By Foot

By Bike

Eat

Drink

For the best night life hit up the area of Niederdorf in the oldtown and Lanstrasse in the 4th and 5th district. AReas that are becoming more popular are Zurich West in the 5th district near the Escher-Wyss swuare and S-Bahn Station of Hardbrucke.

Sleep

Budget

Mid-Range

Upscale

Work

Learn

• University of Zurich was founded in 1833 and has over 24,000 students. It is an excellent university and great place to study.

Keep Connected

Internet

Phone

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