Zurich

Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zurich. It sits in north-central Switzerland, right at the edge of Lake Zurich. As of the end of 2024, the city had a population of 436,551, and the surrounding area was home to over two million people.

Zurich has been a busy place for thousands of years. People first lived there more than 6,400 years ago, and the Romans later founded the town, calling it Turicum. During the Middle Ages, Zurich became very important, and in 1519, it played a big role in the Protestant Reformation led by Huldrych Zwingli.

Today, Zurich is a major hub for trains, roads, and airplanes, with Zurich Airport and Zurich's main railway station being the busiest in the country. It is also a key financial center, with many banks and companies. The city has many museums and theaters, such as the Swiss National Museum, Natural History Museum, Kunsthaus, and Schauspielhaus Zürich, which is one of the most important theaters in the German-speaking world.

Name

Zurich is the name of a big city in Switzerland. In English, we write it as "Zurich" without any extra marks. In German, the local language, it is written "Zürich" and sounds a bit different. People in the area sometimes say "Züri" when talking about their city.

The city's name comes from very old times, even from around the year 200 AD, when it was called "Turicum." Over many years, the name changed slowly until it became "Zurich" as we know it today. Even in old books from the 1500s to 1800s, it was sometimes called "Tigurum" by writers who used Latin, an old language.

History

Main article: History of Zurich

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of Zurich.

Early history

People lived around Lake Zurich during the Neolithic and Bronze Age. Later, people from the Celtic La Tène culture lived near Lindenhof, a hill by the lake. The Romans built a small fort there around 15 BC. They called the place Turicum, and it became a place where people paid taxes. Over time, it grew into a small town.

After the Roman Empire fell, a German tribe called the Alemanni moved into the area. A big castle was built there, and later a church and a special place for women called a convent were founded. By the year 1045, the leader of this convent had the power to run the city.

Zurich became very important in 1218 when it became a free city. Walls were built around it, and stone houses were made. In the 1300s, the leader of the convent lost some power, and new leaders were chosen by the people.

An important book of poems called the Manesse Codex was made in Zurich between 1304 and 1340. It shows how rich and proud the people were.

The first group of Jewish people lived in Zurich in the 1200s, but they were treated badly and left the city in 1349.

Archaeological findings

A woman’s dead body from around 200 BC was found during building work in 2017. She was about 40 years old and had nice clothes with glass and amber decorations.

Old Swiss Confederacy

In 1351, Zurich joined a group of cantons called the Swiss Confederacy. This group of states worked together but were mostly independent. Zurich was an important leader for a time but was removed for a short while because of a disagreement over land.

A leader named Zwingli started big changes in religion in Zurich in 1519. These changes spread to other places too.

During the 1600s, Zurich built strong walls around the city to protect itself. Later, during a big war in Europe, Zurich said it was a republic and changed its government.

In 1798, big changes happened and Zurich lost some of its power. In 1839, people tore down many of the old walls.

Modern history

Zurich became an important place for trains when the first railway in Switzerland opened there in 1847. New buildings and streets were made, and many people moved to the city.

In the 1930s, Zurich had problems with drugs, but in the 1990s, new ways to help people were tried, which worked well.

The coat of arms of Zurich shows white and blue and has been used since the 1300s. When Zurich became a canton in 1803, it kept this design.

Politics

City districts

Main article: Districts of Zurich

Zurich has grown a lot over time. It started smaller, near the old town, but grew in 1893 and 1934 by joining nearby areas. Today, Zurich is split into twelve districts, called Kreis in German, numbered from 1 to 12. Each district has its own neighborhoods.

• Altstadt (District 1) has the old town on both sides of the Limmat. Its neighborhoods are Hochschulen, Rathaus, Lindenhof, and City.
• Kreis 2 is along the west side of Lake Zurich and includes Enge, Wollishofen, and Leimbach.
• Kreis 3, called Wiedikon, lies between the Sihl and the Uetliberg and has the neighborhoods Alt-Wiedikon, Sihlfeld, and Friesenberg.
• Kreis 4, known as Aussersihl, is between the Sihl and the train tracks near Zürich Hauptbahnhof and includes Werd, Langstrasse, and Hard.
• Kreis 5, called Industriequartier, used to be an industrial area but now has modern homes, shops, and schools. Its neighborhoods are Gewerbeschule and Escher-Wyss.
• Kreis 6 is near the Zürichberg hill and has the neighborhoods Oberstrass and Unterstrass.
• Kreis 7 is near the Adlisberg and Zürichberg hills and is home to some of Zurich’s wealthiest families. Its neighborhoods are Fluntern, Hottingen, Hirslanden, and Witikon.
• Kreis 8, called Riesbach but known as Seefeld, is along the east side of Lake Zurich and includes Seefeld, Mühlebach, and Weinegg.
• Kreis 9 lies between the Limmat and the Uetliberg and has the neighborhoods Altstetten and Albisrieden.
• Kreis 10 is east of the Limmat and south of the Hönggerberg and Käferberg hills, with neighborhoods Höngg and Wipkingen.
• Kreis 11 is north of the Hönggerberg and Käferberg and between the Glatt Valley and the Katzensee (Cats Lake). It includes Affoltern, Oerlikon, and Seebach.
• Kreis 12, known as Schwamendingen, is in the Glattal valley and has the neighborhoods Saatlen, Schwamendigen Mitte, and Hirzenbach.

Government

See also: List of mayors of Zurich

Zurich’s City Council (Stadtrat) is the city’s executive government, made up of nine councilors who each lead a different department. They carry out laws passed by the Municipal Council and meet every four years for elections. The mayor (German: Stadtpräsident(in)) is chosen by public vote, while the other leaders are picked by the council. Mayor Corine Mauch leads the council from 2022 to 2026. Their meetings happen in the City Hall (Stadthaus), built in 1883.

As of May 2023, the Zurich City Council has four members from the SP (Social Democratic Party), two from the Green Party, two from the FDP (Free Democratic Party), and one from GLP (Green Liberal Party).

Claudia Cuche-Curti has been Town Chronicler since 2012, and Andrea Töndury has been Legal Counsel since 2020 for the City Council.

Parliament

The Municipal Council (Gemeinderat) makes the laws for Zurich. It has 125 members who are chosen every four years. They meet in public and create rules that the City Council follows. These members are not full-time politicians but are paid for their time.

International relations

Zurich works with cities around the world. It has partnerships with Kunming and San Francisco. The partnership with Kunming began in 1982, and they worked together on water systems and created a beautiful garden. With San Francisco, they started in 2003 and share ideas on business, technology, and the environment.

Zurich is also part of groups like Eurocities and helps other cities, such as Tyre, Lebanon, with projects supported by UN-Habitat.

Zurich has many diplomats, with 24 consulates‑general, 40 consulates and 1 Consular Agency as of March 2025.

Geography

Zurich is located at 408 metres (1,339 feet) above sea level on the lower, northern end of Lake Zurich, about 30 kilometres (19 miles) north of the Alps. It is nestled between wooded hills on both sides. The Old Town spreads across both sides of the Limmat River, which flows from the lake and curves to the west.

The city of Zurich covers an area of 91.88 square kilometres (35.48 square miles), with 4.1 square kilometres (1.6 square miles) of that being Lake Zurich. It includes parts of the Swiss Plateau and is surrounded by hills. The Limmat River runs through the city’s densest area, while the Sihl River meets the Limmat near the Swiss National Museum. The highest point nearby is the Uetliberg hill, which stands at 869 metres (2,851 feet) and offers great views of the city, the lake, and the Alps.

Demographics

Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland, with a population of 436,551 as of December 31, 2024. About half of the people are male, and half are female. Many people living in Zurich were not born there—around 44% of residents were born in another country, and 34% hold citizenship from another country. The most common countries of citizenship among these residents are Germany, Italy, and Spain.

People in Zurich speak many languages. The official language for government and schools is Swiss Standard German, but most people speak Zurich German at home. Many also speak other languages such as English, Italian, French, Bosnian, Spanish, Portuguese, and Albanian.

Zurich has a mix of religious beliefs. Historically, it was a strong center for Protestant Christianity, led by a reformer named Huldrych Zwingli. Today, around 30% of people are Roman Catholic, and 26% belong to the Swiss Reformed Church. Over the past few decades, fewer people have been joining these large churches. About 25% of people say they do not belong to any specific religion. Other groups include Muslims (about 5%) and Jews (about 1%).

Zurich is known for having a high quality of living. It often ranks very well in global surveys of the best cities to live in. People in Zurich also earn good salaries, though men generally earn more than women. The city has a low unemployment rate and offers many opportunities.

Main sites

Further information: Altstadt (Zurich)

Most of Zurich's important places are found on either side of the Limmat River, between the main railway station and Lake Zurich. Here you can find the old town's churches and houses, along with the most famous shops on Bahnhofstrasse. The Lindenhof in the old town marks the spot where a Roman castle once stood, and later a Imperial Palace from the Carolingian period.

Churches

• Grossmünster (Great Minster): According to stories, Charlemagne found the graves of martyrs Felix and Regula and built the first church here as a monastery. The current building began around 1100. In the 1500s, it was where the Swiss-German Reformation started, led by Huldrych Zwingli and Heinrich Bullinger. It has Romanesque architecture with beautiful windows and doors.
• Fraumünster (Women's Minster): This church was founded in 853 for noble women from southern Germany. It has impressive stained-glass windows, including works by artist Marc Chagall, and a very large choir.
• St. Peter: This church was built on older churches that date back before the 800s. It has Europe's largest church clock face, made in 1538, and many beautiful carvings and decorations.
• Predigerkirche: One of the four main churches in the old town, first built in 1231. It was later changed and expanded, becoming a notable Gothic building with a tall bell tower.

Museums

See also: List of museums in Switzerland

• Zurich Museum of Art (Kunsthaus Zürich): A major art museum in Europe with a large collection of modern art, including works by famous artists like Munch and Picasso.
• Swiss National Museum (Landesmuseum): Shows objects that tell the story of Switzerland's culture and history, with old artifacts, weapons, and furniture. It is located in Platzspitz park near the main train station.
• Natural History Museum of the University of Zurich (NMZ): Opened in 2024, this museum displays animals, fossils like dinosaurs, and plants. It is free to enter and located near the city center.
• Centre Le Corbusier: A museum dedicated to the works of the famous Swiss architect Le Corbusier, housed in the last home he designed.
• Rietberg Museum: Features art and cultural items from around the world, including sculptures, masks, and decorations from many different places.
• Museum of Design: Focuses on design, architecture, and crafts, and is part of the Zurich University of the Arts.
• Haus Konstruktiv: A museum showcasing modern and abstract art and design, located near the main train station.
• Uhrenmuseum Beyer: Located in the city center, this museum shows the history of timekeeping with many old clocks and timekeeping tools.
• No Show Museum: A unique museum dedicated to "nothing" in art history.
• Guild houses: Historic buildings along the Limmat River, some of which also serve as museums.
• Tram Museum: Located in the eastern suburbs, it shows the history of Zurich's famous tram system.
• North America Native Museum: Displays items and art from Native American, First Nation, and Inuit cultures.
• FIFA Museum: Showcases memorabilia from the world of soccer, founded by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association.

Parks and nature

• Zoological Garden: Homes to about 260 types of animals, including snow leopards, lions, and pandas.
• Botanical Garden: Contains around 15,000 types of plants and trees, including rare species from Africa and New Caledonia.
• Chinese Garden: A gift from Kunming, China, this garden shows the "Three Friends of Winter" — pine, bamboo, and plum — important symbols in Chinese culture.
• Succulent plant collection and garden: A garden and research center for succulent plants, located in the Quaianlagen.
• Uetliberg: A hill west of the city that offers great views. You can reach the top by train from Zurich main station.

Kunst und Bau (construction permit office)

In 1922, artist Augusto Giacometti won a contest to paint the entrance hall of Amtshaus I. He and other painters decorated the ceiling and walls, creating a bright and beautiful space.

Architecture

Zurich has relatively few tall buildings compared to other cities. Building rules limit high-rises mainly to the west and north parts of the city. In some areas, buildings can be up to 80 meters tall, while in others the limit is 40 meters. Around the year 2000, rules changed to allow more high-rise buildings again. Today, Zurich has several tall buildings, including the Prime Tower, once the tallest skyscraper in Switzerland. The city also features many examples of bold modern architecture, such as the Swissmill Tower, the world's tallest grain silo.

World heritage sites

The ancient settlements at Enge Alpenquai and Grosser Hafner and Kleiner Hafner are part of the Prehistoric Pile dwellings around the Alps, a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Economy

See also: Economy of Switzerland

Zurich helps make up about 10% of Switzerland's total money made each year. Most people in Zurich work in services like banks and shops.

Zurich is very important for money and business. It is one of the strongest money cities in the world and the biggest in Europe. Many big banks and companies have their main offices in Zurich.

Zurich is a great place to live, which helps its economy grow. The city has good schools, safe streets, and many places to enjoy free time. People who live there usually speak more than one language and are very motivated to work hard.

Zurich has two big universities, which help provide smart workers for many jobs. The city also has a big office for Google, employing thousands of people.

Education and research

Zurich is a very important place for learning and studying. In 2019, about 70,000 students went to 20 different colleges and universities in the city. Two of the most famous schools in Switzerland are there: the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zurich) and the University of Zurich. Both schools are known around the world for how good they are.

ETH Zurich started in 1854 and is especially famous for teaching chemistry, mathematics, and physics. Many important scientists have worked there. The University of Zurich began in 1833 and is the biggest university in Switzerland, offering many different subjects for students to study.

Other important schools in Zurich include the Pedagogical College, the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), and the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK). These schools help make Zurich a leading place for knowledge and research.

The city also has big libraries like the Zentralbibliothek Zürich and the Pestalozzi-Bibliothek Zürich to help students and people learn more.

Transport

Public transport

Main article: Public transport in Zurich

See also: Zurich model

People in Zurich love using public transport. About 70% of visitors to the city ride the tram or bus, and half of all trips in the city are made using public transport. The city has many ways to get around, including trains (especially the local S-Bahn), trams, buses, and boats. Tickets work for all these ways of traveling. The network also has three special small railways called funiculars.

Zurich is a big spot for trains, roads, and airplanes. The main train station, Zürich Hauptbahnhof, is the busiest in Switzerland and one of the busiest in Europe. In 2019, it helped about 470,000 passengers and nearly 3,000 trains each day. There are 28 train stations in Zurich.

Zurich Airport

Zurich Airport is about 8 km north of the city center and is partly in the town of Kloten. The airport has its own train station under the ground, connecting it directly to Zurich and other big Swiss cities. More than 60 airlines from around the world fly here, and it is a main place for Swiss International Air Lines. There is also a smaller airfield in Dübendorf.

Road traffic

The A1, A3, and A4 motorways are close to Zurich. The A1 goes west to Bern and Geneva and east to St. Gallen. The A4 goes north to Schaffhausen and south to Altdorf, connecting to the A2 towards Chiasso. The A3 goes northwest to Basel and southeast along Lake Zurich and Lake Walen towards Sargans.

Bicycle transport

See also: Swiss National Bike Routes

In 2012, Zurich started a plan to make the city better for bicycles. This plan, called "Masterplan Velo," is part of a bigger plan for the city's future transportation. The city wants more people to ride bikes, make biking safer, and make it a regular way for children and young people to get around.

The city plans to build special bike paths for everyday use and for fun. There are also plans for places to leave bikes and get help with them. One big project is a tunnel under the main train station where people can leave their bikes during the day. The city is also working on telling people about biking, teaching them, and organizing things to help bikers.

Some people have said the plans are taking too long. For example, a bike tunnel under the train station was supposed to open in 2016 but is now delayed until at least 2019. Groups like Pro Velo worry if the plans are working. The city says they are spending a lot of money each year and are still working to make things even better.

Media

Many big Swiss media companies have their main offices in Zurich, like tamedia, Ringier, and the NZZ-Verlag.

Television and radio

Zurich is home to the main office of Switzerland's national German-language TV network, called SF, located in the Leutschenbach area near the Oerlikon railway station. Another local TV station, TeleZüri, has its office close to Escher-Wyss Platz. Other TV channels like Star TV, u1 TV, and 3+ have their studios in Schlieren.

Zurich also hosts part of Switzerland's public radio station, Schweizer Radio DRS. The city has many local commercial radio stations, such as Radio 24, Energy Zurich, Radio LoRa, and Radio 1. Some stations only broadcast for short periods, like CSD Radio in May and June, Radio Streetparade in July and August, and rundfunk.fm in August and September.

Print media

Zurich publishes three major daily newspapers that are well-known throughout Switzerland: the Neue Zürcher Zeitung (NZZ), Tages-Anzeiger, and Blick, which is Switzerland's biggest tabloid. Each of these papers also has a Sunday edition: NZZ am Sonntag, SonntagsZeitung, and SonntagsBlick. There is also a free daily paper for commuters called 20 Minuten, available on weekdays in the morning.

Many popular magazines are published in Zurich by big companies, such as Bilanz, Die Weltwoche, Annabelle, Schweizer Familie, and Schweizer Illustrierte.

Culture

See also: List of annual events in Zurich

Zurich is a city full of culture, with many museums, galleries, and great music performances. It has wonderful orchestras and several important theatres. The Zurich Film Festival is a big event that lasts 11 days and shows films from all over the world.

One of Zurich’s biggest and most popular events is the Street Parade. This is a huge celebration with dancing and music, held every August. It started in 1992 with about 1,000 people, and by 2001, it had grown to include one million participants. Another big event is the Zürifäscht, which happens every three years. It includes music, fireworks, and many fun activities in the old town.

Zurich has been important for art, too. The Dada movement began here in 1916. Many famous artists worked in Zurich, especially after World War II.

The most famous holiday in Zurich is the Sechseläuten. During this celebration, people parade and burn an effigy called “winter.” There is also a special shooting competition for teenagers called the Knabenschiessen.

Opera, ballet, and theaters

Further informationon the a cappella choir: Zürcher Vokalisten

The Zurich Opera House is a beautiful building that was first built in 1834. It has hosted many famous performances and even has a special ball each year. The Ballett Zürich performs here as well.

The Schauspielhaus Zürich is the main theatre in the city. It has hosted many famous writers and artists over the years.

The Theater am Neumarkt is one of the oldest theatres in Zurich, and it shows many different kinds of plays.

The Zürcher Theater Spektakel is a festival that shows many types of performances from around the world.

Food

The traditional food in Zurich has been shaped by its history. Popular dishes include Zürcher Geschnetzeltes and Tirggel. Some well-known restaurants in Zurich are Sternen Grill, known for St. Galler Bratwurst, and Café & Conditorei 1842, the city’s oldest café.

Nightlife and clubbing

Zurich is also known for its nightlife. The Niederdorf area in the old town has many bars, restaurants, and clubs. Another popular spot is Langstrasse in districts 4 and 5. Recently, Zurich West has become a lively area with new bars and clubs.

Sports

Zurich is an important city for sports around the world. It is home to many international sports organizations, including the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), which has its main office there.

Association football is very popular in Zurich. The city has two big football teams, Grasshopper Club Zurich and FC Zürich, that play against each other.

Ice hockey is another favorite sport. Zurich's team is called the ZSC Lions, and the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) is also based there.

Cycling is a common way to get around Zurich, with special paths just for bikes. There are also many trails for walking and hiking.

Zurich holds many big sports events. The Weltklasse Zürich is an annual meeting where athletes try to break world and national records. The Zurich Marathon is a popular run through the city. Zurich has also hosted big tournaments like the 1954 FIFA World Cup and the UEFA Euro 2008.

Notable people

Main article: List of people from Zurich

Zurich has been home to many famous people throughout history. Some of these individuals have made important contributions in areas like science, art, and literature. The city continues to attract people from all over the world who seek opportunities and inspiration.

Other points of interest

• The Schwamendingen X is a special place where tram tracks cross. Inside the tunnel, trams use island platforms for boarding, which is different from outside the tunnel.

• The Sihlfeld cemetery has a machine where you can get cards and supplies for funerals.

• In Zurich’s Old Town, there is a tavern called “Oepfelchammer” with a fun drinking game. Players must climb across ceiling beams and drink wine while hanging upside down. If they succeed, they can carve their name into the tavern’s wooden walls, beams, or tables.