Situated on the shores of Lake Zurich, overlooked by the snowy
peaks of the Alps, the city of Zurich is considered to be one of the most
beautiful in Europe. Despite being the largest city in Switzerland, visitors
will find Zurich has managed to maintain much of its old-world charm,
while its compact size and convenient layout make it ideal for exploration on
foot. As home to one of the world’s most extensive and efficient
transport systems, less energetic visitors will also find the city
equally easy to navigate.
The city’s long list of world-class museums and galleries
provide a cultural experience to satisfy even the most ardent of art lovers,
with the Kunsthaus Zurich and the Landesmuseum just two of the city’s
exceptional offerings. Visiting families won’t be disappointed either,
as the city provides plenty of activities to keep children entertained; the
world renowned Dolder Zoo and the Lindt and Sprungli Chocolate Factory are two
attractions children won’t want to miss.
Shopping and dining opportunities are superb, with the Bahnhofstrasse area of
the old town seemingly bursting with high quality shops and boutiques.
As well as being a shopper’s dream, Zurich also provides a culinary experience
that rivals many of its European neighbours, particularly in the summer months,
when the streets come alive with pavement cafés and restaurants.
History
Although there is evidence of a settlement going back as far as the Bronze Age,
the earliest known fortification of the site was by the Romans in the 1st
century BC. The city, then known as Turicum, became an important trading
post for textiles such as silk and wool, and it remained so until the
city’s workers’ guild wrestled control of the industry from wealthy
merchants in the 14th century.
The city reached the height of its powers in the 16th century when it became the
first Swiss city to adopt the reformation, an action that made
it a refuge for Europe’s dissident intellectuals. The city then
experienced a gradual decline in its fortunes until city councillors reinvented
Zurich as Switzerland’s economic capital in the late 19th century.
Due to Swiss neutrality during WWI, Zurich once again became a
refuge for European dissidents, with Lenin spending time in the city while
planning the Russian Revolution and James Joyce writing Ulysses at his digs near
the university. After once again remaining neutral during WWII, Switzerland
emerged as a major financial centre, a role it has continued to
develop to this day.
Modern day Zurich is now the world’s main centre for the trading of precious
metals as well as being home to the world’s fourth-largest stock
exchange. In recent years, the city has begun reforms designed to
attract more visitors, with the recent relaxation of licensing laws being just
one of many planned moves intended to lift the city’s conservative image.
Weather
Switzerland is generally portrayed as a cold and snow-swept country that
receives little sun; however, this is far from the truth. In reality,
Switzerland enjoys a mild climate due to the warm winds that
blow in from the Atlantic Ocean.
Zurich’s mild climate means it is popular with visitors throughout the year,
with the summer months of June to September being the busiest,
as temperatures during these months average around 25°C, with little rain. The
winter season begins around November and continues through to April, when the
snows melt, although throughout the winter temperatures rarely drop far below
0°C in Zurich. Visitors to the Swiss mountains are continually
surprised by the winter weather, with long days of warm sunshine and blue skies
being far from unusual.
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