2024 Wednesday, Aug 21

Zurich

Arrival day from our overnight flight from Washington Dulles. After a long taxi ride from the airport, our hotel scurried to get our room ready quite quickly. After a quick power nap, we headed out to see the town.

Richard’s Relive video is available here: https://www.relive.cc/view/vKv2gQBK54O

The waterfront promenade was busy with lunchtime folks enjoying snacks and feeding the swans.

I wanted to see the Chagall stained glass windows in Zurich’s Fraumunster Reformed Church. It was founded as a Benedictine convent in 850 and helped lead Zurich from a Celtic, then Roman, then prosperous Medieval town. The incumbent abbess was the official ruler of Zurich from the 13th century onwards until the Reformation. In 1524, the last abbess handed over the abbey and all its goods to the city of Zurich.

The Fraumunster’s steeple and clock.
The gothic church is known for intricate wood carving as well as stained glass windows.
Five Chagall stained glass windows are behind the rood screen that separates the clergy area from the congregation.

Next we headed through the old town to check out the train station.

One of the windy pedestrian streets in Old Town.
Elegant stores practice the fine art of window dressing.
Zurich Hauptbahnhof.
The Predigerkirche (Protestant church) has a tall steeple that dominates the skyline.
The interior of the Predigerkirche is amazingly simple compared to many European churches.
One very unusual element: this cozy chair setting with a table was placed at the end of a row of traditional church pews. Imagine how different church might be in this setting.
The Grossmunster is yet another church whose steeples are iconic to the Zurich skyline.
The Grossmunster has older and also contemporary stained glass windows.
A Grossmunster stained glass window by contemporary artist Sigmar Polk, one of his collection here. This is the prophet Elijah’s ascension. From a solar chariot pulled by fiery horses, he drops his coat. Elisha picks it up and stays back, following metaphoric passages of traveling from this world to the next. In my opinion, one must use imagination to view this modern piece.
A door leading to the stairway of the tower. Yes, Richard got to climb a tower today.
Charlemagne statue from about 1450-1475. It originally sat in a niche in the tower facing the Limmat River, but now is replaced by a copy. Legend has it that Charlemagne built the first Zurich church on the site of the Grossmunster.
One last walk around to see the lit city landmarks before we leave tomorrow.
Last look at the Grossmunster. Good night, Zurich.

10 Responses

  1. The high vaulted ceilings in these churches makes me think how do they heat and air condition these places? I am amazed the places you covered in such a short time. I hope you got on the correct train. I guess I will find out with next post.

    1. The thick walls and high ceilings seem to moderate the highs and lows of temperatures in churches. It was warm in Zurich, but the churches were comfortable.
      Checking the station is important for us since we are dragging two big suitcases. In Zurich, we decided Uber or a taxi was a must. I also love trains and train stations in the US and abroad and enjoy seeing the grand old stations in particular.

  2. Oh my! What a beautiful city! Love all the old towers and church. Glad Rich was able to climb! The river and night photos are incredible. I’m having fun with Sharon in Alaska,

  3. Zurich is so beautiful at night! Great start to your trip!
    Dan)
    Excited to be traveling with you on this trip. Churches look awesome. Glad Richard got to climb the tower! Wendy

    1. We do feel like it has been a great start to the trip. Still double-masking most times when we are inside, but not many other folks are joining in masking. Jet lag is still with us but we are still enjoying getting out, even when tired.

  4. What a great one-day tour of Zurich! I’ve already mentioned how much I enjoy your photography skills, but I also see I am getting a history lesson while “we” travel! Thanks so much.

  5. Welcome to Europe! Zurich is reminiscent of Prague in some of these photos. I guess you’ll see for yourselves soon! Happy adventuring. 🙂

    1. Right now it seems like Prague is a long way off but I know the time will go fast. So many beautiful things to see. Thanks for keeping us up to date with what is going on with Patches. She looks so content and well cared for.