Grossmünster

Grossmünster in Zürich is a Romanesque Reformed church on the banks of the Limmat, and its twin towers define the skyline of the old town. Building began around 1100 and the church was consecrated around 1220. It stands on the site of an earlier Carolingian church, which legend says was founded on the orders of Charlemagne. It is one of the four major churches in the city.

Why does the Grossmünster matter?

In 1519 Huldrych Zwingli took up the preaching post here, and the Swiss Reformation grew out of this church. Today the congregation belongs to the Evangelical Reformed Church of the Canton of Zürich. The building is as important for the history of European religion as it is for architecture.

What will you see inside?

The interior is plain, as in most Reformed churches: no side altars and no Baroque splendour. The exceptions are the modern stained-glass windows. Augusto Giacometti designed one set in the early 1930s, and Sigmar Polke created another, using thin slices of agate and other stones instead of coloured glass. Head down to the crypt, where a stone figure of Charlemagne recalls the founding legend. Next to the church is a 12th-century Romanesque cloister, a quiet spot for a short break.

What is the view from the tower like?

A narrow staircase leads up the tower, and at the top you get a panorama of the old-town rooftops, the Limmat, Lake Zürich and, on clear days, the Alps. The towers carry neo-Gothic spires that replaced wooden tops destroyed by a fire in 1781. Climbing is ticketed and depends on opening hours, so check them on the day of your visit.

How do you get there?

The church is in the heart of the city on the east bank of the Limmat, in the Niederdorf district. From Zürich main station it is a walk of about 15 minutes across the river. You can also take a tram to Helmhaus or Rathaus and walk a few minutes uphill through the lanes.

When should you visit?

Go in the morning, when it is quieter inside and the light plays nicely through the windows. The tower view is best on clear days, especially in spring and autumn when the air is crisp. Combine the visit with a stroll through Niederdorf and along the river embankment.

Frequently asked questions

Is entry to the Grossmünster free? You can enter the church free of charge; only the tower climb is ticketed.

Who started the Reformation here? Huldrych Zwingli, who preached in this church from 1519 and reshaped religious life in Zürich. Heinrich Bullinger succeeded him and carried the reform forward.

How long does a visit take? About an hour covers the interior, crypt and cloister, and the tower adds another half hour. Allow an hour and a half if you want to study the windows and take photos from the top.

Does the church have modern stained glass? Yes. You will find work by Augusto Giacometti and Sigmar Polke's windows made of thin agate slices.