Grossmünster

Zürich


Founded by Charlemagne in the 9th century (but heavily reworked since), Zürich's twin-towered landmark cathedral sits directly across the river from Fraumünster. The interior showcases stained-glass work by Augusto Giacometti. For far-reaching city views, climb the southern tower, the Karlsturm.

Firebrand preacher Huldrych Zwingli (1484–1531) began speaking out against the Catholic Church here in the 16th century, and thus brought the Reformation to Zürich. Zwingli’s house is nearby.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Zürich attractions

1. Karlsturm

Clamber up the southern tower of the Grossmünster for knockout views of the city and lake to the Alps beyond.

2. Zwingli's House

0.05 MILES

The house where firebrand preacher Huldrych Zwingli (1484–1531) lived and worked. Zwingli began speaking out against the Catholic Church here in the 16th…

3. Cabaret Voltaire

0.1 MILES

Birthplace of the zany Dada art movement, this art space has come back to life as a hotbed of contentious art exhibitions and socially critical artistic…

4. Fraumünster

0.12 MILES

This 13th-century church is renowned for its stunning stained-glass windows, designed by the Russian-Jewish master Marc Chagall (1887–1985), who executed…

5. St Peterskirche

0.17 MILES

From any position in the city, it’s hard to overlook the 13th-century tower of this church. Its prominent clock face, 8.7m in diameter, is the largest in…

6. Kunsthaus

0.2 MILES

Zürich’s impressive fine-arts gallery boasts a rich collection of largely European art. It stretches from the Middle Ages through a mix of Old Masters to…

7. James Joyce Foundation

0.22 MILES

James Joyce spent much of WWI in Zürich and wrote Ulysses here. This foundation, which boasts Europe's largest Joyce collection, hosts regular English…

8. Lindenhof

0.24 MILES

Spectacular views across the Limmat to the Grossmünster can be enjoyed from a tree-shaded hilltop park, smack in the heart of the Old Town. Bring a picnic…