Grossmünster

Overview

Grossmünster is Zurich's most prominent church, a twin-towered Romanesque landmark on the Limmat that became the starting point of the Swiss Reformation when Huldrych Zwingli preached here from 1519.

Highlights

• Tower climb: 187 steps to a platform with views over the lake, Old Town, and Alps.
• Giacometti windows: Augusto Giacometti's 1932 stained glass in the choir.
• Crypt: Romanesque crypt with a 15th-century statue of Charlemagne.

History

Legend says Charlemagne founded the church on the graves of Felix and Regula, Zurich's patron saints. Zwingli launched the Swiss Reformation from this pulpit in 1519.

Visitor Tips

• Tower: CHF 5; the best vantage point in the Old Town.
• Free entry: The church itself is free.
• Duration: 20–30 minutes.