Grossmünster (Great Minster), Zurich

Grossmünster (Great Minster), Zurich (must see)

The Grossmunster Church stands proudly in Zurich, boasting a Romanesque architectural style and a rich historical background. Alongside the Fraumunster, Predigerkirche, and Saint Peterskirche, it forms one of the city's four major churches. Legend has it that the church's origins trace back to a commission by the Roman emperor Charles the Great, with construction beginning around 1100 and completion marked around 1220.

Notably, the Grossmunster Church holds significance as the birthplace of the Swiss-German Reformation. In 1520, Huldrych Zwingli, a key figure in the Swiss Reformation movement, initiated reforms from his pastoral office within the church. Zwingli's debates, which he triumphed in before local authorities in 1523, led to the church's separation from papal authority.

The reforms spearheaded by Zwingli and later continued by Heinrich Bullinger left their mark on the church's interior. In 1524, iconoclastic actions saw the removal of religious imagery and the organ. These reforms went beyond aesthetics, impacting various aspects of religious practice including fasting traditions, the Mass, celibacy, and the use of church music. The Grossmunster Church thus stands as a pivotal site in the history of the Protestant Reformation.

A statue of Emperor Charles the Great adorns the southern tower of the Grossmunster Church, commemorating his reign as Holy Roman Emperor from 771 to 814. Known for uniting much of Western and Central Europe, his legacy extends to language, with many European terms for "king" deriving from his name. The statue portrays Charles holding his sword, with his crown seemingly slipping from his head.

Why You Should Visit:
Fairly plain inside, but the sliced agate windows are some of the more interesting and colorful anywhere.
The old statue of Carolus Magnus is definitely worth seeing, and you can't miss the beautiful door as you go in.

Tip:
A trip to the top of the tower is worth it if you can do 180+ steps straight up. The views are wonderful and you can stay as long as you wish.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Zurich. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Grossmünster (Great Minster) on Map

Sight Name: Grossmünster (Great Minster)
Sight Location: Zurich, Switzerland (See walking tours in Zurich)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Zurich, Switzerland

Create Your Own Walk in Zurich

Create Your Own Walk in Zurich

Creating your own self-guided walk in Zurich is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Zurich's Historical Churches Tour

Zurich's Historical Churches Tour

The history of Christianity in Zurich is duly reflected in the local churches, found here in abundance. Indeed, Christianity has been the dominant religion of Zurich for many centuries. And while, historically, the city was a center of the Protestant Reformation, today it is home to both Catholic and Protestant communities.

The Swiss Reformed Church is the largest Protestant denomination, but...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Old Town Walk

Old Town Walk

The Old Town, or Altstadt (in German), is the historic heart of Zurich which beats on both sides of the Limmat River that runs through it. "Zurich is a city, but Altstadt is a village" – this saying reflects the charming, small-town feel of Old Town Zurich, which stands in contrast to the more modern and cosmopolitan areas of the city.

Bordered by the Bahnhofstrasse, a bustling...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Zurich Introduction Walking Tour

Zurich Introduction Walking Tour

Walking around Zurich is a walk through history. The city was first officially settled by the Romans in 15 BC, who called it Turicum. But there were earlier inhabitants–evidence has been found of settlement that dates back more than six millennia. One of the oldest parts of town is Lindenhof Square, an elevated hill that was one of the earliest sites.

Today Zurich is the largest city in...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles
Zurich Gourmet Tour

Zurich Gourmet Tour

Apart from its high-quality watches, Switzerland is famous for its unique delicacies. The secrets of their making have been preserved for centuries and passed on from father to son. In this respect, it is not at all surprising that a global banking and financial center such as Zurich can be also a haven for food enthusiasts seeking gourmet delights. On this self-guided walk, we invite you to...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Zurich Souvenir Shopping

Zurich Souvenir Shopping

Zurich has no shortage of tourists, and when it comes to souvenirs, there are plenty of options available.

A popular saying goes, "When in Zurich, shop on Bahnhofstrasse." True, in terms of souvenir shopping, this thoroughfare is second to none. Another saying is that “When in Switzerland, buy Swiss-made products.”

Alongside many other things, Bahnhofstrasse is home to...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles

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