Zurich Landmarks and Monuments

(Zurich, Switzerland)

Whilst many know Zurich as a city of finance and modern skyscrapers and landmarks, others are more familiar with its many historic monuments and well-preserved buildings, which clearly document its rich heritage. The cathedrals of both Fraumünster and Grossmünster both date back to the early part of the 13th century and are amongst the most easily spotted of all Zurich's landmarks.

The historic Schloss Kyburg castle stands roughly 150 metres / 492 feet above the River Limmat, so when visiting you can expect some good views across the Zurich cityscape. This landmark is considered by many to be the best-preserved castle in the whole of north-eastern Switzerland, while other will enjoy a visit to St. Peterhofstatt (St. Peter's Church), where you will find the largest clock face in Europe, measuring almost 9 metres / 30 feet. The most visited of all Zurich's landmarks are explained further below.

Fraumünster Cathedral

Address: Münsterhof, Zurich, CH-8001, Switzerland, CH
Located on the Münsterplatz, the simple and yet imposing Fraumünster Cathedral is one of Zurich's most famous landmarks and contains many extremely distinctive stained-glass windows, which were actually created fairly recently in the 1970s and are amongst the world's most acclaimed. The cathedral was completed in 1217 and largely remains in its original condition.
Open hours: daily, May to September - 09:00 to 18:00; October to April - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: free, donations suggested

ETH Bibliothek

Address: Raemistrasse 101, Zurich, CH-8092, Switzerland, CH
Tel: +41 044 632 2135
The grand building is part of the university campus of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, known as the ETH Zurich (Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule). Founded in 1855 and home to over six million books, documents and regional Swiss artefacts, the library is worth visiting for its facade alone and also acts as an important national centre for scientific and technical information.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 08:30 to 21:00, Saturday - 09:00 to 14:00
Admission: free

Grossmünster Cathedral

Address: Zwingliplatz, Zurich, CH-8001, Switzerland, CH
Somewhat larger than the Fraumünster and rather more imposing in its grandeur, the aptly named Grossmünster Cathedral literally translates as 'Great Minster'. With Romanesque architecture and situated on the ancient site of a Roman burial ground, the Grossmünster first opened its doors in 1220, after approximately 120 years of construction. The cathedral stands close to the Limmat River and its tall twin towers reach high into the sky and have long been an iconic landmark of Zurich. Look for the figure of Charlemagne on the south tower, the founder of this grand church.
Open hours: daily, March to April - 09:00 to 18:00; November to February, Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00, Sunday - 12:00 to 17:00
Admission: free, donations suggested

Käferberg Mountain

Address: Käferberg, Zurich, CH-8057, Switzerland, CH
Situated within the Kreis 10 district and standing on the northerly side of Zurich, Käferberg Mountain is one of the city's biggest natural landmarks and a great place for a long walk. Trails through woodland areas lead you past many exceptional vantage points, where you can appreciate the actual scale of the neighbouring lake. Further views can be enjoyed from the outdoor tables on the mountain's popular restaurant terraces, where a play area for children is also provided.
Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free

Schloss Kyburg (Kyburg Castle)

Address: Kyburg 8314, Zurich, Switzerland, CH
Tel: +41 0152 232 4664
The Schloss Kyburg boasts an interesting past spanning some 900 years. This important landmark is close to central Zurich and features a range of themed exhibitions, which concentrate on the Middle Ages. If you wish to find out more about the castle's rich heritage, experienced guides are on hand to take you around and impart their knowledge.
Open hours: February to November, Tuesday to Sunday - 10:30 to 16:30
Admission: charge, discounts for seniors, children and students, children five years old and under are free