ZURICH

Permanently settled for over 2,000 years, Zurich was founded by the Romans, who called it Turicum. However, early settlements have been found dating back more than 6,400 years (although this only indicates human presence in the area and not the presence of a town that early). During the Middle Ages, Zurich gained the independent and privileged status of imperial immediacy and, in 1519, became a primary centre of the Protestant Reformation in Europe under the leadership of Huldrych Zwingli.

Zurich is Switzerland's economic leader and known worldwide for its financial district. But other very innovative economic sectors flourish in the region. Zurich has established itself as an important centre for ICT, life sciences, cleantech as well as creative industries and tourism.

FOODS

1- Zürcher Geschnetzeltes

Traditionally prepared with sliced veal strips, cream, beef stock, white wine, and often with the addition of mushrooms, Zürich-style veal – popularly known as Zürcher geschnetzeltes – first appeared in cookbooks in 1947, but nowadays it is considered one of the classic dishes with origins in the Zürich region.

2- Tirggel

Tirggel are traditional Swiss Christmas cookies made with flour, honey, and sugar. They are thin and very hard, characterized by images on the top which are usually associated with the Zürich Canton, romance, and Biblical stories. It is believed that the name tirggel is derived from the word torggeln, which refers to stirring a thick dough.

3-Sternenberger Mutschli

Sternenberger Mutschli is a Swiss cheese produced in Zurich by Urs Preisig. The cheese is made from the milk of two local cow herds – the larger wheel is called Sternenberg, while the smaller one is called Mutschli, meaning little cheese.

PLACES

1- Grossmünster

The Grossmünster Church is a former monastery built on the graves of the city’s patron saints, Felix and Regula, and is the site of the first secondary school, which according to legend, was founded by Charlemagne. His statue stands on top of the south tower, the Karlsturm. From the nave, 187 steps lead up to the viewing platform. The strenuous climb is well worthwhile: at the top, six large panoramic windows allow a beautiful view over the Old Town and the lake. The terraces are closed for safety reasons.

2-Fraumünster

Founded in 853 by King Louis the German, this church with its convent was inhabited by the female members of the aristocracy of Europe. The convent enjoyed the patronage of kings and the abbess the right to mint coins in Zurich until well into the 13th century. Ownership of the church and convent passed to the city of Zurich after the Reformation.

3- Lake Zurich

After Lake Geneva, Lake Neuchâtel, Lake Constance and Lake Lucerne, Lake Zurich is one of Switzerland’s “Big Five” in terms of lakes. In the past, it was mainly used as a traffic and transportation route, but today it is a popular excursion destination for swimming, sailing, boating, and picnicking on the shore.