Save this place and discover nearby attractions with NextOnTrip
In the app you can add it to your favorites, see what else is worth visiting nearby on the map, and earn a badge for your visit.
The app is available for iPhone and Android.
About this place
The Ulrich Zwingli memorial in Zürich stands beside the Limmat river, right next to the former Wasserkirche, and honours the city's first reformer. It is one of the best-known sights of the historic centre, easily included in a walk between Lindenhof and the Münsterbrücke.
Who was Zwingli, and why does Zürich have a monument to him?
Huldrych Zwingli (1484–1531) was a clergyman who started the Swiss Reformation in Zürich. His teaching treated the Bible as the foundation of faith and permanently reshaped both the religious and political life of the city. He died in 1531 at the Battle of Kappel, during the religious wars between the Swiss cantons. The monument reflects both sides of the man: preacher and participant in the armed conflicts of his era.
What does the monument look like?
The statue is the work of Austrian sculptor Heinrich Natter and was unveiled in 1885, a time when Zürich took particular care to remember its Reformation heritage. Zwingli is shown standing, a sword in one hand and a Bible in the other. The sword refers to his part in the conflict between the cantons, while the book stands for what mattered most in his teaching: the authority of Scripture. Pairing these two attributes is the feature visitors comment on most.
Where exactly is it?
The monument sits in the heart of the Old Town, on the Limmat, beside the Wasserkirche. The former church now serves as an exhibition space connected with the Helmhaus. The coordinates are roughly 47.3695 N, 8.5433 E, and from the main railway station it is typically a walk of around fifteen minutes along the river.
Is it worth a stop?
The monument needs little time: a few minutes are enough to look at the sculpture and read about the person it portrays. It pairs well with nearby sites linked to the Reformation and with views over the river. For anyone interested in European history, it is a good starting point for understanding Zürich's religious roots.
Frequently asked questions
Who does the monument depict? Ulrich (Huldrych) Zwingli, Zürich's first reformer.
Who made it? Austrian sculptor Heinrich Natter; it was unveiled in 1885.
What does the figure hold? A sword and a Bible, symbolising Zwingli's roles as reformer and participant in the Kappel wars.
Where is it? Next to the Wasserkirche on the Limmat, in central Zürich.
Is there an entrance fee? The monument stands in a public space, so it can be viewed at any time.
Nearby places
Earn badges for the places you visit
Download NextOnTrip, discover new places and check off your trails.