Zurich, one of the largest and most important cities of Switzerland, It offers endless possibilities to know and enjoy the city.
Their Architectural Heritage, urban and cultural as the lake and its natural environment also are of high value that make this city, in the heart of Switzerland a very interesting site for all kinds of tourism.
There are many points of interest and worth taking the time to enjoy it in full. I will try to leave some recommendations here, views and experiences, which they are in my opinion, recommended.
Means of transport
Zurich, like all Switzerland, It has excellent transportation. we find here, railroads, trams, buses, boats and bicycles available for visitors, which allow us to enjoy the city in the most comfortable way according to our needs. Options are varied tickets combining the various means of transport that will allow us to save. It is advisable to be clear about the time and places to visit when purchase tickets so get the most convenient.
If you arrive by train to Zurich, to reach the main station, we will be in the heart of the city itself which is a good starting point to start the ride. In the Great Hall of the central station is the Tourist Information Office where you can get maps and more data.
In this huge hall is done year after year a typical busy Christmas market which highlights the bright Christmas tree Swarovsky jewelry .
bikes
To the left of the platforms and across the street Museumstrasse, We found a bicycle storage, (Velostation Nord) available for visitors who dare and have wanted to tour the city in that environment. There can be obtained free bicycles, leaving the passport and a deposit of approximately 20 francs will be returned to return the bikes. They also have bicycles tricycles with baskets suitable for carrying children. It is highly recommended addition to being a fun experience. These "Velostationen"They are distributed in several parts of the city.
Trolley car
The tram is an important means of transport in the city. There are a number of tram lines that allow us to explore Zurich and surrounding neighborhoods while admiring while traveling.
At Christmas time the city offers a tram only for children, decorated with Christmas themes and takes a journey through the city center. There the children enjoy music, stories and songs while walking the streets of Zurich.
Ship
Whether as a walk or as a means of transport, it is possible to go through your Zurich Lake using a boat. There are those that are exclusively for tourism and where a guided as those vessels that allow us to go from one point to another city across from one side to another route is immense and beautiful water mirror. The views of the city from the boat are really wonderful. It is a good choice if you want to enjoy the scenery of a quiet and relaxed way. We can go down where we like and also perform combination of boat and tram with the same ticket.
Funicular
From around the city that are at higher altitudes can be obtained wonderful views. To ascend to these areas can be chosen the option of taking a funicular. Neighbor to the Central plaza, near the station is the Central Polybahn from where you can access by funicular to the polytechnic. From there we get a good view of the lake and the city and mountains Albis Y Üetilberg.
Planning and Architecture, the city center
We can say that on both sides of the lake the main urban center of Zurich develops. There we will find the most emblematic buildings, iglesias, museums as well as shopping centers in addition to beautiful parks and recreation areas. Both areas of the city alongside the lake are joined at various points by beautiful and busiest bridges.
Leaving the central station to the right arrive at street Bahnhofstrasse, Therefore in this street and its parallel most centralizes shops Y big shops. That is to say that this area of the city is purely commercial. If we walk across the street, we come out on the lake. At the end of the street, stores are large and exclusive brands. The Bahnhofstrasse is a very busy street, both by tourists and inhabitants of Zurich and surroundings, which also they developed various activities such as the Christmas markets and sometimes demonstrations.
In this area of the city include the Church of Our Lady (Fraumünster), which I believe is essential to visit. It is located on the corner of Münsterhof Y Stadthausquai. We will find great stained glass Marc Chagal incorporated into the church in the year 1970.
Also in this area, the church San Pedro – Peterskirche – constructed, according to archaeological findings, on another small church of the eighth century, on which a church was first built in Romanesque style in the ninth century and then, in the eleventh century, another late Romanesque. Highlights its belfry, one of the highest in the city, as well as his enormous watch one of the world's largest, with almost 9 meters in diameter. In the fifteenth century the nave is modified in Gothic style.
Near and before crossing across the lake, we find the Observatorio Urania, a tower that also stands in the city, in a building located in the street Uraniastrasse 9
On this side of the lake ... a special street with beautiful balconies photo 2011-10-20 1306,1309... To which consecrates another publication. Here are some pictures.
Crossing now across the lake, in the eastern part of the city, We find some beautiful streets and squares. Here we also find some shops, but mostly it is Restaurants Y Bares. The type of food is varied and surely find a good restaurant where you eat the typical fondue.
On this side of the lake is one of the main churches in Zurich, Grossmunster, whose towers stand out in the skyline of Zurich with its characteristic figure. It is a Romanesque church also has some Gothic architectural elements. The building we see today dates from the twelfth century. Different versions of the history of this church document that under the same lies a Roman cemetery where would the tombs of the patrons of Zurich, San Felix and St. Regula, place where Carlomangno have arrived and founded a monastery. Today the church is a Protestant temple.
In the square opposite the church can be seen a model of the building made in great detail.
Interior, gateway detail, facade detail, maquette..
The Corbusier
Swiss architect, naturalized French, Le Corbusier, He has left a legacy in Switzerland. Lakefront in a large green area known as Blatterwiese, It is located north of the property known Le Corbusier house O Casa Heidi Weber, project known architect and where today a museum chronicling the life and work of Le Corbusier and where some of your furniture exposed among other works. Here are just some pictures, as this valuable work, should devote a separate publication.
Neighbor to the Central Railway Station, on the street Museumstrasse, is the Swiss National Museum. A great building that houses permanent exhibits tracing the history of the country and also temporary exhibitions. Worth a visit.
Behind the museum a wooded park, place Spitz, also invites you to walk and travel
The streets of Zurich often host various events and parades that are multitudinous, sometimes with visitors from various countries of the world and of course in Switzerland.
Parades which often involved the different cantons in traditional costumes, representing different periods of the history of the country and the different authorities in different countries have contributed and contribute to the growth of the Swiss Confederation, like the one that took place in April 2013 and which published some images.
It is known Sechselätuen in which he said goodbye to winter, party culminating with the burning of a huge snowman, he Böogg, which it is the symbol winter, bidding farewell to the coldest season of the year.
So also it is celebrated in many opportunities, both in Zurich and other cities of Switzerland, seasonal changes.
Despite the cold, are very busy city streets the night of New Year, when people are celebrating and enjoying the fireworks that start at the minute 0 the year beginning.
Lake and parks
Lake Zurich can enjoy all year, especially in summer when it is possible from some beaches access to its waters and then freshen a long walk or a stroll under the sun. But both the lake and the parks and throughout the year, They give us the possibility to turn away a bit of noise from the busy streets of downtown and take advantage of those beautiful open spaces, rest recreating the view with wonderful postcards that all the city offers.
It is also interesting to see the city at sunset and at night, when its warm lighting offers a different but wonderful vision as we appreciate during the day.
Blatterwiese
Lago
Seebad Enge
Mythenquai beach
Zurich, a charming city that is walking with real pleasure.