Fraum眉nster (Church of Our Lady), Zurich (must see)
The Church of Our Lady鈥攐r Fraum眉nster if you're feeling Swiss about it鈥攊s easily one of Zurich鈥檚 most eye-catching landmarks, thanks to that graceful blue spire that insists on being in every skyline photo. Founded way back in 853 by Emperor Louis the German for his daughter Hildegard (talk about a royal housewarming gift), this wasn鈥檛 an average cloistered convent. No, the abbess here wasn鈥檛 just praying and gardening鈥攕he was running the show. In medieval Zurich, she held market rights, minted coins, and had a firm grip on city affairs. Basically, before Zurich was ruled by bankers in suits, it was partly governed by nuns with serious executive power.
By 874, they鈥檇 added a basilica complete with a crypt that now houses Zurich鈥檚 patron saints, Felix and Regula鈥攂ecause a great city can certainly benefit from a couple of martyred siblings watching over it. But the good times for the abbey came to an end in 1524 during the Reformation. The last abbess handed the keys over to the city, and most of the religious art was either taken down or..., well, aggressively removed.
Today, people come not just for the medieval intrigue, but for the stunning mashup of Gothic architecture and Baroque flair. And then鈥攂oom鈥攖he stained glass. In the 1970s, none other than Marc Chagall himself stepped in and created five towering windows for the choir. Each one tells a biblical story in bold, glowing color. The 鈥淧rophet鈥� window is all reds and oranges and righteous fire. Across from it are 鈥淛acob,鈥� 鈥淐hrist,鈥� and 鈥淶ion鈥� in cooler, gentler hues, and the 鈥淟aw鈥� window fit to impress even Moses himself.
Also remarkable is the vibrant window near the entrance by Augusto Giacometti, adding another layer of artistic prestige to the church鈥檚 interior. So now it doubles as an accidental art museum.
If you're visiting, do grab the audio guide鈥攊t鈥檚 included with the ticket and actually quite good. You鈥檒l get the full story, minus the Latin. Entry fees vary, and remember: while photos of the interior are generally allowed, pictures of the Chagall windows are strictly prohibited. Your phone will be tempted, but resist. Oh, and be sure to bring some Swiss francs, too鈥攖hey still like their cash here.
So, whether you鈥檙e into saints, stained glass, or just need a break from the Station Street, the Church of Our Lady is a peaceful detour into Zurich鈥檚 soul鈥攚ith a splash of color and a whole lot of history.
By 874, they鈥檇 added a basilica complete with a crypt that now houses Zurich鈥檚 patron saints, Felix and Regula鈥攂ecause a great city can certainly benefit from a couple of martyred siblings watching over it. But the good times for the abbey came to an end in 1524 during the Reformation. The last abbess handed the keys over to the city, and most of the religious art was either taken down or..., well, aggressively removed.
Today, people come not just for the medieval intrigue, but for the stunning mashup of Gothic architecture and Baroque flair. And then鈥攂oom鈥攖he stained glass. In the 1970s, none other than Marc Chagall himself stepped in and created five towering windows for the choir. Each one tells a biblical story in bold, glowing color. The 鈥淧rophet鈥� window is all reds and oranges and righteous fire. Across from it are 鈥淛acob,鈥� 鈥淐hrist,鈥� and 鈥淶ion鈥� in cooler, gentler hues, and the 鈥淟aw鈥� window fit to impress even Moses himself.
Also remarkable is the vibrant window near the entrance by Augusto Giacometti, adding another layer of artistic prestige to the church鈥檚 interior. So now it doubles as an accidental art museum.
If you're visiting, do grab the audio guide鈥攊t鈥檚 included with the ticket and actually quite good. You鈥檒l get the full story, minus the Latin. Entry fees vary, and remember: while photos of the interior are generally allowed, pictures of the Chagall windows are strictly prohibited. Your phone will be tempted, but resist. Oh, and be sure to bring some Swiss francs, too鈥攖hey still like their cash here.
So, whether you鈥檙e into saints, stained glass, or just need a break from the Station Street, the Church of Our Lady is a peaceful detour into Zurich鈥檚 soul鈥攚ith a splash of color and a whole lot of history.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Zurich. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Download The 911爆料网 App
Fraum眉nster (Church of Our Lady) on Map
Sight Name: Fraum眉nster (Church of Our Lady)
Sight Location: Zurich, Switzerland (See walking tours in Zurich)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Zurich, Switzerland (See walking tours in Zurich)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Zurich, Switzerland
Create Your Own Walk in Zurich
Creating your own self-guided walk in Zurich is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Zurich Gourmet Tour
Apart from its high-quality watches, Switzerland is famous for its unique delicacies. The secrets of their making have been preserved for centuries and passed on from father to son. In this respect, it is not at all surprising that a global banking and financial center such as Zurich can be also a haven for food enthusiasts seeking gourmet delights. On this self-guided walk, we invite you to... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Old Town Walk
Zurich鈥檚 Old Town鈥攖he city鈥檚 historical core鈥攊s where the past shakes hands with charm and refuses to be boring. Spread on both sides of the Limmat River, this part of town still remembers when cobblestones were cutting-edge tech. They say 鈥淶urich is a city, but Old Town is a village鈥濃�攁nd yes, that pretty much nails it. A sort of medieval postcard with a side of espresso...
Old... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Old... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Zurich's Historical Churches Tour
The history of Christianity in Zurich is duly reflected in the local churches, found here in abundance. Indeed, Christianity has been the dominant religion of Zurich for many centuries. And while, historically, the city was a center of the Protestant Reformation, today it is home to both Catholic and Protestant communities.
The Swiss Reformed Church is the largest Protestant denomination, but... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
The Swiss Reformed Church is the largest Protestant denomination, but... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Zurich Introduction Walking Tour
Zurich鈥擲witzerland鈥檚 largest city and possibly the classiest time machine you鈥檒l ever stroll through. Beneath its polished surface of banks, trams, and world-class chocolate lies a city with roots older than most empires. Humans have been hanging out here for over 6,000 years, and in 15 BC the Romans finally gave it a name: Turicum鈥攎eaning 鈥渢he place of Turos鈥�, likely stemming from a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles
Zurich Souvenir Shopping
Zurich has no shortage of tourists, and when it comes to souvenirs, there are plenty of options available.
A popular saying goes, "When in Zurich, shop on Bahnhofstrasse." True, in terms of souvenir shopping, this thoroughfare is second to none. Another saying is that 鈥淲hen in Switzerland, buy Swiss-made products.鈥�
Alongside many other things, Bahnhofstrasse is home to... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
A popular saying goes, "When in Zurich, shop on Bahnhofstrasse." True, in terms of souvenir shopping, this thoroughfare is second to none. Another saying is that 鈥淲hen in Switzerland, buy Swiss-made products.鈥�
Alongside many other things, Bahnhofstrasse is home to... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
15 Distinctively Swiss Things to Buy in Zurich
Zurich is Switzerland鈥檚 largest city, and although it may feel like a bustling metropolis, the tranquil essence of the Alps flows fervently through the lively cobblestone streets, the buzzing train station, and the frenzied designer boutiques. Most shops in downtown Zurich open at 9 am and close...