Grossmünster

The Grossmünster, in Zurich

The Grossmünster, the 'great minster', is one of the most important religious buildings of Zurich, recognisable by its two twin towers, cradle of the Swiss Reformation. The Zurich audio-guided tour stops here, with respect, to evoke this Romanesque sanctuary founded according to legend by Charlemagne on the tombs of the martyrs Felix and Regula, and its major role in the religious history of the city.

The minster of the martyrs and of the Reformation

Here you are facing the belle of the ball, the famous Grossmünster, that can be translated as the great minster. It is one of the most important religious buildings of Zurich, a must-see of the city, to be discovered with respect. The origins of its construction belong to legend: it is told that it is here that the martyrs Felix and Regula were buried, decapitated by the Romans in the third century. Five hundred years later, Charlemagne in person is said to have discovered their tombs and decided to build a holy place in their honour; some versions affirm that it is his horse that suddenly stopped and bowed before the tombs. At that time, Switzerland was not yet neutral and was part of the Carolingian Empire. Charlemagne thus founded a priory, dependent on the bishopric of Constance. The construction of the current minster, of Romanesque style, began around the year 1100 and was completed in 1220. But the Grossmünster owes its fame above all to another episode: it is here that the reformer Ulrich Zwingli preached in the sixteenth century, making Zurich the cradle of the Protestant Reformation in Switzerland. Inside, stripped according to the reformed spirit, the sanctuary invites to contemplation, and you can climb one of the towers for a magnificent view. A historic minster and a cradle of the Reformation, the Grossmünster is discovered with respect.

What to see

Here you discover, with respect, one of the main religious buildings of Zurich, a Romanesque minster with two twin towers built between 1100 and 1220, founded according to legend by Charlemagne on the tombs of the martyrs Felix and Regula; cradle of the Swiss Reformation where Zwingli preached, it shelters a stripped interior and allows to climb a tower for the view. The Grossmünster is a symbol of Zurich. It is a stop to be discovered with respect.

Practical information

The Grossmünster stands on the right bank of the Limmat, in the old town of Zurich, reachable on foot or by tram. A place of worship, it can be visited with respect; access to the church is generally free, the climb of the tower is paying and follows hours that vary. It is best to enquire before coming and to respect the sacred character of the place.

Why is the Grossmünster of Zurich important?

Because it is said to have been founded by Charlemagne on the tombs of the martyrs Felix and Regula, patron saints of the city, and because it was in the sixteenth century the cradle of the Swiss Protestant Reformation, where the reformer Ulrich Zwingli preached; a Romanesque minster with two twin towers built between 1100 and 1220, it is one of the most emblematic buildings of Zurich, to be discovered with respect.

Where is the Grossmünster in Zurich?

On the right bank of the Limmat, in the old town of Zurich, in Switzerland.