Fraumünster

The Fraumünster, in Zurich

The Fraumünster, the 'abbey of the Ladies', is one of the major churches of Zurich, famous for its stained-glass windows signed by Marc Chagall. The Zurich audio-guided tour stops here, with respect, to evoke this sanctuary born from a monastery founded in the ninth century by the grandson of Charlemagne, linked to the legend of the sisters Hildegard and Bertha guided by a stag with luminous antlers.

The abbey of the Ladies and the legendary stag

Another major church of Zurich, here is the Fraumünster, that could be translated as the abbey of the Ladies, to be discovered with respect. Its name comes from the fact that in the ninth century, a monastery was founded here by the grandson of Charlemagne. The legend tells that the two daughters of the king of Franconia, Hildegard and Bertha, went to settle at the castle of Baldern, in the mountains north of Zurich, to devote their life to God in isolation. They went frequently to Zurich to pray in a chapel. God had given each of the sisters a stag to accompany them, and whose luminous antlers lit their difficult path. One night, the stag is said to have shown them the place where they were to build a place of worship. King Louis then made a gift of this abbey, directed first by Hildegard then, at her death, by her sister Bertha. The legend, attested by a wall painting of the thirteenth century found inside the Fraumünster, testifies to the importance of this feminine sanctuary, that long held great privileges. The current Gothic building, with its high slender spire, shelters an interior of great sobriety, conducive to contemplation. Its most famous treasure is the set of five stained-glass windows made by Marc Chagall in 1970, bathing the choir in a coloured and spiritual light. A legendary church and stained-glass windows of Chagall, the Fraumünster is discovered with respect.

What to see

Here you discover, with respect, a major church of Zurich, born from a feminine monastery founded in the ninth century by the grandson of Charlemagne, linked to the legend of the sisters Hildegard and Bertha guided by a stag with luminous antlers; the Gothic building with its high spire shelters a sober interior and its famous stained-glass windows signed by Marc Chagall, made in 1970. The Fraumünster is an emblematic sanctuary of Zurich. It is a stop to be discovered with respect.

Practical information

The Fraumünster stands on the left bank of the Limmat, facing the Grossmünster, in the old town of Zurich, reachable on foot or by tram. A place of worship, it can be visited with respect; access may be paying to admire the stained-glass windows of Chagall, and follows hours that vary, restricted during services. It is best to enquire before coming.

Why is the Fraumünster of Zurich famous?

For its five stained-glass windows made by Marc Chagall in 1970, that bathe the choir in a coloured and spiritual light; born from a feminine monastery founded in the ninth century by the grandson of Charlemagne, the abbey of the Ladies is linked to the legend of the sisters Hildegard and Bertha guided by a stag with luminous antlers, and remains one of the major sanctuaries of Zurich, to be discovered with respect.

Where is the Fraumünster in Zurich?

On the left bank of the Limmat, facing the Grossmünster, in the old town of Zurich, in Switzerland.