Fraumünster Church
The Fraumünster Church was the first ever convent church of Southern Germany. Built by Emperor Ludwig (King Louis the German) in the year 853, it is one of the most beautiful churches of Switzerland. There was already a convent on the site way before Fraumünster was built. Headed by Hildegard (Ludwig’s daughter), the female members of the royal family of southern Germany were in control of the convent as well as the church. The church also reserved the rights to mint coins till the 13th century. ‘Reformation’ saw the end of the royal family’s control over Fraumünster church and as a result the baton was passed on to the city of Zürich. The attractive architectural features of the Fraumünster church include the high vaulted transept and Romanesque choir. The stained glass work of the church was given shape by the famous Augusto (Alberto Giacometti's cousin) in the year 1945 on the north transept and the five part cycle of the choir. The rosette at the southern transept was designed by Marc Chagall in the year 1978. One more wonder includes the canton that has a mammoth 5, 793 pipes on display. Paul Bodmer painted the famous frescos on the cloister that still draw thousands of tourists from all over the world.
Address: Am Münsterhofplatz
Telephone: 044 211 4100
Transport: Tram 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 13 to Paradeplatz
Opening time: Monday to Saturday 10am to 6pm, Sunday 11.15am to 6pm (April to October); Monday to Saturday 10am to 4pm, Sunday 11.15am to 4pm (November to March). The church is closed for some services on Sundays
Admission: Free
Swiss National Museum
The Swiss National Museum in Zürich is home to the country’s largest collection of Swiss cultural artefacts. The current visitor tour from prehistory to the early modern period is being expanded in August 2009 with the addition of new permanent exhibitions: “History of Switzerland” and “The Collection”. The museum also stages special temporary exhibitions.
Address: Museumstrausse 2
Website: www.nationalmuseum.ch
Telephone: 044 218 6511
Transport: Train to Zurich main station. Museum located across from main station (follow signs)
Opening time: Daily except Mondays 10am to 5pm (until 8pm on Thursdays)
Admission: Sfr10 (adults), Sfr8 (concessions). Children under 16 free
Niederdorf
Situated in the old town, across from central station, the narrow lanes of Niederdorf wind through towering 14th century buildings revealing small plazas where restaurants spill onto cobbled streets and buskers entertain diners and passers-by with miscellaneous music. This charming district has an interesting array of fashion stores, bookshops and antique dealers as well as superb independent cheese, wine and pastry shops. In the evening the area transforms into one of Zurich's buzzing nightlife venues with a wide selection of bars, restaurants and clubs to be explored.
Address: Niederdorfstrasse
Transport: Tram number 3, 4, 6, 7 or 10 to Central tram stop or five minute walk from Zurich main station across Limmat River
Polybahn and Rigiblick Funiculars
Trains, buses, trams and bikes are common ways of getting around Zurich. To get above the bustling streets and cobbled walkways, hop onto either the Polybahn or Rigiblick Funicular for panoramic views of the city and Lake Zurich. The traditional Polybahn was first opened in 1889 to solve the transport problem of students travelling from central Zurich to the University of Technology, which is situated on the towering Zürichberg hill. Recently renovated, the Polybahn has maintained its classic Swiss appearance and continues to haul students and tourists to the Polyterasse viewpoint. Serving an attractive neighbourhood north of Zurich, the Rigiblick Funicular rewards travellers with a sweeping panoramic view of the city and the unmistakable Mount Rigi (1797m).
Address: Polybahn: Central station (Hauptbahnhof). Rigiblick: Seilbahn
Transport: Polybahn: Tram 3, 4, 6, 7, 10 and 15 to Central tram stop on other side of the Limmat river from the main station. Rigiblick: Tram 9 or 10 to Seilbahn Rigiblick
Opening time: Polybahn: Monday to Friday 6:45am to 7:15pm. Rigiblick: Daily 5.20am to 12.40pm