Day 23: Zürich

June 16 - In the morning, back downtown to see more of the churches on the western bank.

Statue of David Brunnen in Weinplatz.

Clocktower of St. Peter’s Church.

Go to Fraumünster Church for its opening today and a viewing of its famous stained-glass windows. The history of this structure started in 853, when a convent was established here under Luis the German for his daughter Hildegard. This convent held a lot of power over the town for centuries, naming each of its mayors and having the right to mint coins. Its authority was completely dissolved in 1524 during the reformation (Zwinglian reforms). The buildings were destroyed in 1898 but the current structure built in its place. Under the alter room there is still access to the foundations of the original building in the basement.

The special thing about this church is the stained-glass windows, designed by Marc Chagall and installed in 1970.

All five panes shown together. They depict, from left to right: Prophets (Elijah’s ascent to heaven), Jacob, Christ, Zion (showing end of the world), and Law (Moses looking down to his people).

Detail from the ‘Christ’ pane.

Detail from the ‘Zion’ pane.

Organ at the church.

From here, take another tram south along the eastern bank of the Zurichsee. Visit a park (Zürichhorn) that isn’t touristic as such but is full of people because it is Sunday and the sun is out.

The lake, as seen from Zürichhorn.

Chinese garden at the park. This park was built as a gift from Kunming, a sister city to Zurich and recipient of technical help by Switzerland to improve sanitation in their city.

Zurich Opera House.

Since it is Father’s Day, I get to choose where to eat lunch/dinner. We go to Maneez Sri Lankan cuisine.

My curry.