Paradeplatz (Parade Square), Zurich
Parade Square 鈥� Zurich鈥檚 glittering crossroads of power, pastries, and jaw-dropping property prices. Nestled on Station Street and laced with tram tracks like a well-frosted cake, this square is the beating heart of Swiss finance. Here, the global giants Credit Suisse and UBS sit like heavyweight chess pieces, guarding a board where real estate is so pricey, it practically comes with its own bodyguard.
But don鈥檛 fall for this corporate shine 鈥� Parade Square wasn鈥檛 always a banker鈥檚 playground. Back in the 17th century, it was here that cows mooed and bleated at a lively livestock market just outside the city walls. All that changed in 1642, when Zurich decided to expand its waistline with extra fortifications. A couple of centuries later, in 1865, Station Street was drawn up, and Parade Square got its name 鈥� just in time to catch the next tram, which, by the way, used to be horse-drawn until they got an upgrade in 1896. Electricity turned out to be equally good for both light bulbs and public transport...
The square鈥檚 grand buildings mostly popped up during the mid-1800s. Take the Credit Suisse building, planted here in 1873 like a money tree. Or the regal Baur en Ville hotel, which first opened its polished doors in 1838. In true Swiss fashion, they demolished it entirely in the 1970s, only to rebuild it exactly the same 鈥� just with plumbing that actually works...
But the real crown jewel is Spr眉ngli Caf茅. Open since 1859, and famous well before that thanks to Rudolf Spr眉ngli鈥檚 chocolate wizardry since 1836, this place is ground zero for anyone serious about truffles, tarts, and tingly taste buds. You haven鈥檛 really been to Zurich until you鈥檝e dropped by Spr眉ngli 鈥� bonus points if you pronounce it correctly with your mouth full of Luxemburgerli.
So, go ahead, hop off the tram, stare at your bank balance, and soak in the Swiss elegance. Parade Square: here, fortunes are made, lost, and occasionally spent on chocolate...
But don鈥檛 fall for this corporate shine 鈥� Parade Square wasn鈥檛 always a banker鈥檚 playground. Back in the 17th century, it was here that cows mooed and bleated at a lively livestock market just outside the city walls. All that changed in 1642, when Zurich decided to expand its waistline with extra fortifications. A couple of centuries later, in 1865, Station Street was drawn up, and Parade Square got its name 鈥� just in time to catch the next tram, which, by the way, used to be horse-drawn until they got an upgrade in 1896. Electricity turned out to be equally good for both light bulbs and public transport...
The square鈥檚 grand buildings mostly popped up during the mid-1800s. Take the Credit Suisse building, planted here in 1873 like a money tree. Or the regal Baur en Ville hotel, which first opened its polished doors in 1838. In true Swiss fashion, they demolished it entirely in the 1970s, only to rebuild it exactly the same 鈥� just with plumbing that actually works...
But the real crown jewel is Spr眉ngli Caf茅. Open since 1859, and famous well before that thanks to Rudolf Spr眉ngli鈥檚 chocolate wizardry since 1836, this place is ground zero for anyone serious about truffles, tarts, and tingly taste buds. You haven鈥檛 really been to Zurich until you鈥檝e dropped by Spr眉ngli 鈥� bonus points if you pronounce it correctly with your mouth full of Luxemburgerli.
So, go ahead, hop off the tram, stare at your bank balance, and soak in the Swiss elegance. Parade Square: here, fortunes are made, lost, and occasionally spent on chocolate...
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.
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Paradeplatz (Parade Square) on Map
Sight Name: Paradeplatz (Parade Square)
Sight Location: Zurich, Switzerland (See walking tours in Zurich)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Zurich, Switzerland (See walking tours in Zurich)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
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'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 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
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
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
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...