Zurich New Year 2002 / 03

We spent the New Year festivities of 2002/3 in Zurich - Switzerland. We stayed at the Hotel Intercontinental for 3 days, from 30th December to 2nd January. We both had a terrific time there, and really liked Zurich. Sitting on the northern shores of Lake Zurich, Zurich is teeming with bankers. But don't let that put you off. This also means enough decent restaurants, bars and boutiques (along the Paradeplatz), to make your credit card sweat! Start off by checking out the Old Town and the prettiest parts of Zurich, span the river Limmat. On either side it's largely pedestrianised but also largely touristy. The cooler side of Zurich' drinking is in Zuri West, to the south-west, zones 4 and 5. It's also home to some decent nightclubs (despite their names,) Supermarket, UG and Labyrinth as well as a damn fine eatery, La Salle. For culture, head to the old town. St.Peter's church for example, has the largest clock face in Europe. While for the arty, the largest collection of Munch's works outside Norway, two of Monet's water lilies and works by the Dadaists are all inside the Kunsthaus. This is after all where anti-art all started.

A view of Zurich across the lake

Lake Zurich or Zurichsee as spelt in Zurich

The Zurich Lake is situated at the south side of the City, with views across the Lake to the Alps

Robert & Korina at the Lake

Zürich is a stunningly beautiful city that sits astride the River Limmat (the Zürichsee flows into the River Limmat). Its charming old town, comprising a substantial part of the city centre, is full of beautifully restored historic buildings and narrow, hilly alleys. In the distance, snow-clad peaks overlook the waters of the lake, and the shores are dominated by turn-of-the-century mansions.

Fraumünster Church with the Grossmünster Church in the backdrop

Of the church spires that characterise Zurich’s skyline, the thin blue spire of Fraumünster is the most graceful. Overlooking the historic old square of Münsterhof, the former pig market, the church was founded in 853 and its convent inhabited by German noblewomen until the 13th century. Important architectural features include the Romanesque choir and the enormous elaborate organ, but its chief attractions are the five beautiful stained glass windows designed by the 83-year-old Marc Chagall in 1970.

In 853 King Ludwig of Germany signed over to his daughter Hildegard a convent which then stood on this site. The present structure was built during the 13th century, but during the reformation many items inside the church were destroyed. It has been renovated a few times since. It is now famous for its stained glass windows by Marc Chagall who was 80 years of age when he was commissioned to make them in 1967. The spire on the church dates back to 1732. There is a huge organ at the back of the church. Unfortunately most of the church is not accessable to the public, as it is roped off.

The Haupbahnof at the North of the City Centre

Zurich is the world’s banking capital, but as well as being a city of fat cats parading in pin-stripes, glued to their mobile phones and swinging patent leather briefcases, you’ll also discover that this is the city that gave birth to the avant-garde Dadaist movement, and where James Joyce wrote Ulysses. The city’s Museum of Fine Arts houses one of Europe’s most extensive collections from 15th century religious iconography to the modern art works of Dali, Arp, Hockney, Cezanne, Monet, Gaugin, Munch and Picasso.

While browsing in the elegant boutiques along Zurich’s Bahnhofstrasse, one of the most beautiful shopping areas in Europe, you’ll notice that the streets may not be paved with gold, but you can be certain that a couple of metres below, unimaginable treasures are lying in underground vaults.

An evening view over Zurich from Am Lindenhofe, on the Westside

The Linden Square, with its 80 linden trees. Dating back to Roman times, it has been prohibited to build on the Lindenhof since the Middle Ages. The square is situated on a little hill, and so you have a nice view to the university side of the town.

The best 360-degree view in the city is from the Urania Observatory. The Jules Verne bar, directly underneath, serves great coffee.

The night is drawing in...

The Grossmünster at night, it is the landmark of Zürich.

According to legend, Charlemagne discovered the graves of the city's martyrs Felix and Regula and had a church build as a choristers' cloister on the spot. Construction work on the present building began around 1100. In the first half of the 16th century the Grossmünster was the starting point of the Swiss-German Reformation led by Huldrych Zwingli and Heinrich Bullinger. The theological college then annexed to the cloister became the germinal cell of what is now the University of Zürich. Worth visiting: Romanesque crypt, Romanesque capitals in the church and cloister. Choir window by Augusto Giacometti (1932), bronze doors by Otto Münch (1935 and 1950), Reformation Museum in the cloister.
Admission and Tower visit

The Letzigrund football stadium, home of Austrian Leagues side Grasshoppers Zurich

The Lakeside

Taking a walk down to the Chinese Garden

The Chinese Garden

The garden is a gift to the people of Zurich from Kunming - its twin city in China. It is one of the best kept secrets of Zürich, not even the local Swiss people visit, there, which is a real shame, as it is very nice.

You said you wanted a ring...

Robert & Korina on the Quai Brücke

A view across the River Limmat of the Fraumünster Church and the Church of St Peter

The Polybahn travelling through someone's house... Gives a new meaning to term `to be dropped off right outside your door!`

A view from the East side of the City of the Bahnof

A view of Zurich from the Polyterrassen, whis is situated in front of the university. Take the Polybahn, a 100 year old little train that will bring you up in 3 minutes! The ground station is near the central station.