Zurich. Destination In Focus
Zurich is located on the northern shores of Lake Zurich and boasts more than 100 art galleries and 50 museums. Its international airport has direct connections to more than 150 destinations and is located a brief 10 minute drive from the heart of the city centre. Its stunning lakeside location and close proximity to some of the best ski-ing regions in the world make it a popular tourist destination.
Zurich Fact File
Population.
370,000 – it is Switzerland’s largest city and lies 409m, (1,357 feet above sea level).
History.
Zurich has been permanently settled for around 7,000 years and started out as a Roman customs post known as Turicum. It has since developed into an experience, science, and business metropolis without forfeiting any of its rural charm. After the withdrawal of the Romans, in the Middle Ages Zurich, as the burial site of its patron Saints, the martyrs Felix and Regula, was an important place of pilgrimage. This continued until 1519 when Huldrych Zwingli was appointed First Priest of the Grossmunster Church and started the Reformation. Under his guidance Zurich became the birthplace and centre of the Reformation in German-speaking Switzerland. Subsequently religious refugees from the south settled in Zurich, bringing with them specialist expertise and business connections so the city gradually grew into a textile centre. There followed a period of industrial development which, together with the construction of Zurich’s Main Railway Station, opened up a new gateway to the world.
Zurich Today.
The city is the cultural and business capital of Switzerland and a popular domicile for the head offices of many multinational companies. It has a diverse spread of lifestyles and has an exceptionally high standard of living. Apart from a reputation as one of the cleanest cities in the world, its population and guests appreciate the city’s extensive range of cultural activities, cuisine, shopping outlets and opportunities to enjoy outdoor and health facilities.
Transport.
Zurich International Airport with direct connections to 150 destinations worldwide is a 10 minute trip from the city.
Zurich Railway Station services are second to none and operate to all major Swiss destinations and several European cities as frequently as every 30 minutes. The city boasts more than 250 hotels offering a wide range of accommodation.
Arts & Entertainment.
The city enjoys a high concentration of art galleries – along the Rämistrasse ‘art mile’ the galleries are only a few minutes apart while, at the site of the former Lowenbrau brewery, they stand side by side. There are 50 museums, 14 of which are devoted to art. There are many ‘must sees’ among them the Kunsthaus Zurich which boasts a significant collection of paintings, sculptures and photographs, as well as the Reitberg Museum one of the leading centres of non-European art in the world. Just a stone’s throw from Zurich’s main station, the Swiss National Museum housed in a 100 year old building reminiscent of a fairytale castle, contains the country’s most comprehensive collection of exhibits relating to Swiss cultural history.
Make a night for the Opera House, one of the leading international opera venues in Europe, which is famous for both its operatic and ballet productions.
The Tonhalle Concert Hall boasts some of the best acoustics in the world, while The Schauspielhaus is Switzerland’s largest theatre offering a wide variety of world class productions.
The trendy Zurich West district also houses the Turm Bar and Jazz Club, and numerous smaller theatres.
Shopping.
Some 150 years ago part of the city’s fortifications was turned into what is now a famous ‘shopping mile’, The Bahnhofstrasse. This is a real Mecca for shoppers and is a focus for international fashion labels, jewellery and watches.
Dining Out.
The entire world of cuisine is at home in Zurich, be it the traditional veal speciality ‘Zurcher Geschnetzeltes’ in one of the city’s time honoured guild houses to the legendary Kronenhall, a popular haunt among Hollywood stars. At the other end of the scale opt for the best bratwurst in town at the sausage stand at the Vorderer Sternem. The city boasts that there is a different restaurant for every 180 inhabitants! Take your pick.
