The Zurich Grossmünster Cathedral is located in the Old Town part of Zurich and has a fantastic history attached to it. The church legend states that Charlamagne had the church built as a monastery on the spot of the graves of St. Felix and St. Regula, the city’s patron saints. At any rate, the two towers you see on the sides of the church are the most recognized landmark in Zurich.
The church was also the start of the Swiss-German Reformation, which changed the face of Protestantism in Switzerland. You can see evidence of this influence on the interior, which is stripped of any pre-Reformation statuary.
Make sure to take some time to climb the tower and visit the basement, where you’ll find the crypts. You will not want to leave city without taking a quick trip to the iconic Zurich Grossmunster Cathedral, a place of religious and cultural importance.
Charlemagne and the Legend of the Grossmünster
Felix and Regula were members of a Roman legion in Switzerland who converted to Christianity. When the legion was ordered to be executed for this conversion, the brothers fled to Zurich, but were caught and beheaded. According to legend, they then picked up their heads and walked up a hill to pray before finally dying. Their graves were located on the hill. Later, Charlemagne was hunting and his horse fell at the site of the graves. Charlemagne was so impressed by the miraculous event that had occurred at the gravesite of Felix and Regula that he decided to construct a church on that very spot. This church, known as Grossmünster, became a significant religious site and continues to stand to this day as a testament to the legend of the headless saints.
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Grossmünster Karlsturm
Karlsturm, also known as Charlemagne’s Tower, is one of the two Grossmünster towers. The tower features a statue of Charlemagne and can be accessed via a 187-step staircase within the nave. Once at the top, visitors can enjoy the observation deck and take in the breathtaking panoramic views of the old town and nearby lakes. If you’re looking to soak in the beauty of Zurich from above, a visit to Karlsturm is a must.
Zwingly and the Reformation
Built in the 12th century, the church has a rich and storied past. It was in this very building that Huldryc Zwingli sparked the Swiss Reformation in the 16th century with his infamous Affair of the Sausages. Zwingli, who was serving as pastor at Grossmünster at the time, broke the tradition of fasting during Lent by sharing smoked sausages with friends, leading to a heated debate about the role of religion in society. Zwingli’s views on reform, which included abandoning celibacy for church officials and removing music and religious statues from the church, ultimately shaped the modern-day Grossmünster we see today. Visitors can still see the impact of the Reformation on the church’s somber and stripped-back interior.
Grossmünster Opening Hours
- Summer hours: Monday-Saturday, 10 AM-6 PM
- Winter hours: Monday-Saturday, 10 AM-5 PM
- Sunday: Open after church service
FAQ about the Grossmünster
Why is grossmunster famous?
Grossmünster, a prominent church in Zurich, is said to be built on the graves of the city’s patron saints, Felix and Regula. Legend states that Charlemagne, upon discovering their graves, founded the church on the site as a monastery.
Can you go up grossmunster?
Yes. Grossmünster is a well-known symbol of the city of Zurich, with its twin towers standing tall above the left bank of the Limmat river. This historic church dates back to the 12th century, and while entry is free, there is a fee for those wishing to climb the tower. The crypt can also be visited at no cost.
When was grossmunster built?
The two towers of Grossmünster were constructed between 1487 and 1492. Initially, they had tall wooden spires, but these were destroyed by fire in 1763. The towers were later topped with neo-Gothic structures, which were completed in 1787.
The other famous Church in Zurich: St. Peter Church
There’s another church besides the Grossmünster in Zurich worth visiting for its religious and historical significance. St. Peter’s Church is the oldest parish in Zurich and was built in the 9th century. The current building dates back to 1709 and was the first church built under Protestant rule.
Today, the original 9th-century foundation still exists and can be viewed underneath the chancel. From the Middle Ages until the early 20th century, the Church tower was the area’s clock tower and a fire lookout point. The face on the clock tower is the largest one in Europe.
The church’s interior is rather plain and does not have an altar, which indicates its post-reformation style. However, aside from the clock face, some notable things to visit in the church are the baptismal font from 1589 and the choir chairs that date from the 15th century. There’s also the large organ, with 53 stops on it. It’s also notable because it is the only one of the four medieval churches in the city that was a community church and not associated with a convent or monastery.
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It’s free to go in and walk around the church and there are no restrictions on photography, so feel free to take as many visual memories of it with you as you want. The church also periodically hosts concerts and other musical events because of its good acoustics.
