Fraumünster, Protestant church in Old Town, Zurich, Switzerland.
The Fraumünster is a church on Münsterhof in Zurich's Old Town. Its tall Gothic tower carries a clock with dark hands and numerals below a small pointed gable, and a steep dark needle spire. Lower pale-stone wings flank the tower, with a row of arched windows above smaller rectangular openings. The long church body has tall narrow arched windows and a steep dark tiled roof.
The abbey was founded on 21 July 853, when Louis the German, a grandson of Charlemagne, transferred an existing small monastery to his eldest daughter Hildegard; the founding charter, issued in Regensburg, is the oldest written document in the canton of Zürich's state archive. In 1045 Henry III granted the convent market, toll and mint rights, making the abbess ruler of the city, and in 1218 Frederick II made the abbey answerable only to the emperor. The abbey was dissolved on 30 November 1524 under Zwingli's Reformation, supported by the last abbess, Katharina von Zimmern.
The five large stained glass windows by Marc Chagall in the choir display biblical stories through distinct color schemes that immediately catch your eye when you enter. They form the focal point of the interior space and leave a lasting impression on visitors.
You can reach the church easily by walking through Old Town and visiting at different times depending on the season. Check the seasonal opening hours before your visit to make sure it fits your schedule.
The church organ is remarkably large and consists of nearly 7000 pipes that create different tones throughout the space. It stands as the largest instrument of its kind in the entire region.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 92,779 contributors worldwide.
