A few Highlights of Zurich

Monday November 7, 2022 -- I had an errand to run in Zurich this day, and since it was a warm and balmy day, I combined this with a 5-km walk along the eastern shore of the lake, starting at the "Zurich Horn" (near to where I had the appointment) and walking to the Hauptbahnhof. 

A special feature at the "Horn" is one of Jean Tinguely's famous moving metal sculptures, this one called Heureka. Tinguely, born in Fribourg in 1925, is known for his "meta-physical" sculptures which he claims are allegories for the rampant consumerism in our industrial society. The Heureka sculpture was the first of his public works created for the Swiss National Exhibition in 1964. The sculpture is operated three times a day in summer only, so I did not see it in motion, unfortunately. This is one of our goals, we just never get around to going there in summer!

The day was almost too warm for a jacket, and the air was clear so I got to see much of the mountains to the South. It took me about 90 minutes to walk back to the main train station while admiring many of the lovely buildings (much in sandstone) along the way.

Across from the train station in Zurich is the Landesmuseum (State Museum). We have not yet visited this. (We are not really museum people)

At the park called Zurich Horn on the east side of the lake is the magnificent sculpture called "Heureka", the first public sculpture created by Jean Tinguely, for the Swiss National Expo in 1964

"Heureka" by the Swiss sculptor Jean Tinguely at Zurich Horn

A nice view to the south down Lake Zurich, to the Glarus Alps

Walking north along the promenade toward the city

Across the lake is the reformed church in Enge (Zurich), nicknamed the "Sacré Coeur of Zurich", and considered the most important Neo-Renaissance church in Switzerland. I visited this back in 2014, maybe it would be time for another visit. 

The beautiful Opera House in Stadelhofen at the north end of the lake

Details on the Opera House

Crossing the Limmat River where it enters the lake. Those buildings are on the west side of the river. (Later I visited the inside of the St.Peter church, the one with the large clock-face, the largest in Europe)

A close-up look at the twin towers of Zurich's most famous landmark: Grossmünster Church (also visited on a previous occasion many years ago). 

A look back at the opera house and the promenade as I cross the bridge over the Limmat River

Also enjoying the sunshine

Many of the buildings between the lake and the train station are such fancy sandstone constructions. 

A look across the Limmat River to the Grossmünster Church

Bridge across the Limmat River toward the old part of Zurich

Looking down the river now toward the lake, you can certainly see the mountains well on a clear day!

And I even was able to make out my favourite mountain "Mount Schärhorn" far South near the Klausen Pass in Canton Uri!

I took a less-frequented road through the Lindenhof district of the old town and came upon this church here.... (St.Peter's, it has the largest clock-face in Europe, 8.7 meters)

The church is called St.Peter's and apparently has the largest clock face in Europe (8.7 meters!)

Details of the inside of St. Peter's Church. This is the oldest parish church in Zurich, with the original 9th-Century foundation. 

I also passed this great-looking building, a restaurant apparently frequented by some important people in past centuries!

Details painted on the outside of the restaurant called "Zur Grossen Reblaube" ("To the Large Grapevine"). This building has been here since 1357, under various names!!! The current restaurant has had this name since 1637! (Renovated 1925)

Passing through the Lindenhof Park across from the church, this is a pretty neat outdoor terrace!

A roof-top terrace, but it looks like it belongs to the neighbour!

The Urania Observatory, opened in 1907, was the first building in Zurich to be built out of concrete

On the way home by train along the west side of Lake Zurich, another great view of the Glarus Alps.

A few days later, I had to go back to Zurich for another appointment, and on the way to the University by tram, I saw this building which I stopped by on the way back to have a look at. It is the Catholic Church called Liebfrauenkirche (Church of our Dear Lady), and it is fairly young as far as such religious structures go, built in the 1890's because the number of Roman Catholics in Zurich had increased so much that a second church was necessary. It is considered the "most important replica of an early Christian basilica on Swiss soil".