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Zurich Attractions |
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Botanischer Garten (Botanic Garden) The gardens contain 15,000 living species, including some rare specimens from New Caledonia and Southwest Africa. The herbarium contains three million plants. The gardens, owned by the University of Zurich, were laid out on the site of a former private villa. Tram: 11 to Hegibachplatz, or 2 or 4 to Höschgasse. Bus: 33 to Botanischer Garten Foundation E. G. Bührle Collection This jewel of a collection is most popular for its French Impressionist works, including those by Monet, van Gogh, Cézanne, Gauguin, Degas, Renoir, and Manet. See Picasso's The Italian Girl. The private collection also includes paintings by Rubens, Rembrandt, and Guardi. There's a limited but very special section of 24 sculptures from the Middle Ages. Tram: 2 or 4 Fraumünster he chief attractions of Fraumünster are five stained-glass windows -- each with its own color theme -- designed by Marc Chagall in 1970. They are best seen in bright morning light. The Münster is also celebrated for its elaborate organ. The basilica has three aisles; the nave is in the Gothic style. Friedhof Fluntern (Fluntern Cemetery) ames Joyce, the author of Ulysses, lived in Zurich from 1915 to 1919, at Universitätsstrasse 38. In 1941 he returned to Zurich from Paris, only a month before his death. Near his tomb is a statue depicting the great Irish writer sitting cross-legged with a book in his hand. Elias Canetti, winner of the Nobel Prize for literature in 1981, died in August 1994; his grave lies to the left of Joyce's. The grave of Johanna Spiri (1827-1901), who wrote the famous story Heidi, is in the Central Cemetery. Tram: 6 to zoo Grossmünster This Romanesque and Gothic cathedral was, according to legend, founded by Charlemagne, whose horse bowed down on the spot marking the graves of three early Christian martyrs. The cathedral has two three-story towers and is situated on a terrace above Limmatquai, on the right bank. Despite the legend, construction actually began in 1090 and additions were made until the early 14th century. The choir contains stained-glass windows completed in 1932 by Augusto Giacometti. In the crypt is a weather-beaten, 15th-century statue of Charlemagne, a copy of which crowns the south tower. Transportation Tram: 4 Kunsthaus Zurich (Fine Arts Museum) the Kunsthaus Zürich is devoted mainly to the 19th and 20th centuries, although the range of paintings and sculpture reaches back to antiquity. The museum was founded in Victorian times and was overhauled in 1976. Today it's one of the most modern and sophisticated museums in the world, both in its lighting and its display of art. Devoted for the most part to 19th and 20th century artwork, the Kunsthaus Zurich is a cultural mecca for any art lover. Holding one of the largest collections of works by Edvard Munch outside Norway, as well as works by renowned modern artists such as Chagall, Picasso, Monet, Rothko and the Expressionists, Kokoschka, Beckmann and Corinth to name a few. Tram: 3 (marked KLUSPLATZ) 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). 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; 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. Tram number 3, 4, 6, 7 or 10 to Central tram stop or five minute walk from Zurich main station across Limmat River Zoologischer Garten (Zoological Garden) The Zurich Zoo is dedicated to nature conservation, maintaining ecosystems and protecting animal species, with many projects of reintroduction into the wild. Offering guided tours and in depth information tools, the Zurich Zoo does its best to educate the public. With over 260 different species and 2200 animals, visitors will get the unique chance to view endangered animal species such as snow leopards and red pandas. Tram 6 from Zurich main station |
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