La casa de Ópera de Zurich abarca dos edificios a la orilla de un lago, uno que fue construido en 1891 y otro edificio hermano menos bello al lado. Dentro de sus paredes, la pasión suiza por la ópera realmente se transmite, con sus óperas, conciertos con la orquesta filarmónica, veladas, matinés, misas vespertinas y producciones en el escenario del estudio. Cada temporada, alrededor de 16 estrenos honran el escenario de la casa de Ópera. Desde que Alexander Pereira tomó las riendas, el mundo de la música miró a Limmatstadt con envidia sobre todo por que el centro de cultura más frecuentado de Zurich cuenta con su propia compañía de ballet. Se recomienda que reserves tus entradas para una función con dos meses de anticipación si es posible. Se pueden adquirir todo tipo de boletos en el edificio anexo.
Atraído por la exhibición nacional Suiza en 1939 y la exhibición Paisajisa de 1959, el bajo lago Zurich está rodeado por una amplia selección de paseos peatonales, parques públicos, baños y jardines. Especialmente en festividades públicas, el lago se llena de botes, y los bancos se saturan de personas que salen a pasear o a un día de campo. Desde abril hasta octubre, los transbordadores regulares de pasajeros y de automóviles operan en el lago. Se pueden reservar paseos redondos especiales en el Bürkliplatz en verano, y ofrecen comidas, música, baile y cruceros nocturnos.
El Kunsthaus Zurich fue inaugurado en 1910 y considera su abundancia de piezas suizas de los siglos XIX y XX como lo más destacable de su colección. Extendida en muchas ocasiones, innegablemente ésta es una de las colecciones más significativas de Suiza, ya que cuenta con un gran número de obras dadaístas, así como piezas de Chagall, Mondrian, Munch y otros maestros. Aquellos partidarios de los artistas impresionistas estarán encontados de encontrar dos de las mejores pinturas de nenúfares en este lugar. El arte moderno no se olvida aquí. Encontrarás obras de Beuys, Baselitz y Bacon que lo representan. La colección completa está resaltada por un enorme premio de exhibición y fotografía de Alberto Giacommetti. Los Kunsthaus fomentan un buen tema de discusión debido a las exhibiciones temporales consistentes de gran alcance. En la entrada encontrarás una librería de arte minuciosamente surtida.
Amid the city's bustle lies a serene sanctum complete with tree-lined walkways and the ornate Hedwig Fountain. This moraine hill-top space is a picturesque canvas and a nationally significant Swiss heritage site. Evidence of early activity dates back to the 2nd Century, and it is believed that the former castle remained standing through the 6th Century. Lindenhof also became a center of political activity and significant historic events. Home to the antiquated Lindenhof quarter, Lindenhof hill is where a synergy of history, culture, and natural beauty takes center stage. What today stands as an open verdant space is an erstwhile Celtic settlement harboring a Roman fortress, the ruins of which are still visible today. This scenic, emerald-hued expanse affords sweeping views of Old Town's charming roofed houses, the meandering waters of the Limmat River, and even the distant, mighty Swiss Alps.
Crowning the picture-perfect Weinegg Quarter, this university garden is enlivened by a vivid tapestry of botanical wonders. It is an integral part of the Institute of Systematic Botany. Constructed across its verdant meadows are bubble-style greenhouses, bountiful harbors of plants which lovingly call to mind the clear weather and vibrant landscapes of the Mediterranean and the Tropics. Come spring, the garden comes alive with a burst of mesmerizing blooms while droves of frogs croon into its glimmering pond. From alpine roses and water plants to native European and primitive species, the garden strives to be an embodiment of both research and recreation, creating a gardenscape which is a spectacular feast for the senses.
The Offene Rennbahn in Oerlikon, Zurich, is an open air track-cycling arena. Dating back to 1912, this concrete track was host to the inaugural UCI Track Cycling World Championships (Bahn-Radweltmeisterschaften) which was held in 1923. The arena has a seating capacity of 3,000 and is a regular venue for other disciplines of track cycling as well. Call ahead to know more.
Zurich's vibrant and diverse history comes alive Augustinergasse, a historic street which winds through the charming Old Town. Touted as one of Zurich's most colorful streets, Augustinergasse is where lovingly carved, wooden windows embellish picture-perfect buildings gleaming in corals, emeralds and pastels. In the Middle Ages, it was home to a number of local artists, though the street was largely occupied by wealthy factory owners by the 17th Century. Notable landmarks along Augustinergasse include Augustinerkirche, one of the most significant churches in medieval Zurich, and Munzplatz, which served not only as a church but also as a workshop and mint coinage. Perhaps the most striking attribute of these edifices is the strategically crafted oriel windows, which go beyond just being a pretty ornamentation. Through these bay windows, residents could view forthcoming guests, hence buying themselves time to decline them with grace, if they so wished. These buildings which date to as far back as the 14th Century, are presently storefronts brimming with cultural relics, books, souvenirs, clothing and the likes.
Villa Patumbah, built for Karl Fürchtegott in the 1880s, demonstrates an architectural style quintessential of the Renaissance period. Designed by Chiodera and Tschudy, the ornate structure is punctuated by a magnificent piano nobile. A glass-stained dome tops the marble-framed windows, intricate murals and balconies. The villa is surrounded by a verdant landscape of manicured lawns, ponds, fountains and gazebos. It is the present headquarters of the Swiss Heritage Society.
Explore the quiet beauty of Zurich on foot, with knowledgeable guides from Free Walking Tours Zurich to enlighten you every step of the way. Choose from a bevy of tour types, each tour unearthing an interesting nugget of the city. The Downtown Zurich Tour takes you around Paradeplatz, Lindenhof, Niederhof and other hidden gems, while the city's Historical Tour helps you understand the Medieval charm of the city. Other free tour options include the Langstrasse Tour, the New in Zurich Tour and the Zurich West Tour. While the tours are tagged free, it is imperative to note that the organizers do appreciate tips and donations.
Though quite central, Josefstrasse feels like it's way off the beaten path. Traffic - both pedestrian and motorized - is light, making it a pleasant street for strolling. Here you'll find a wide range of stylish boutiques, some of them featuring Swiss designers. In addition to cool clothing and accessories, there are some funky housewares, too. Other shops sell hiking gear, skateboards, books and music, and keep an eye out for the impressive hookah pipe collection at one of the grocery stores. If you happen to get hungry, you can choose from Thai, Italian, Middle Eastern, Indian, Japanese and Swiss restaurants.
Museum Sammlung Rosengart is an iconic landmark of fine art in the city. This establishment curates and displays century-spanning artwork by influential artists from across the world. These include masterpieces by Claude Monet, Paul Klee, Pablo Picasso, and the like. Take a well-interpreted tour of the museum and marvel at thought-provoking sketches, paintings and canvases. The exhibition represents the Impressionism art movement of the 19th Century, as well as the Surrealism and Classical Modernism cultural movements of the early 20th Century. For further research, visitors can pick up books and publications on a range of topics.
Constructed in 1333, Kapellbrücke is the oldest covered wooden bridge in all of Europe. The truss-style landmark crosses the Reuss River and features a prominent water tower, which was originally constructed as part of the fortification for the city and used later as a treasury, prison, and torture chamber. Named after St. Peter's Chapel, the bridge also features paintings dating back to the 1600s. Unfortunately, several of its artworks have been destroyed over time. Today, Kapellbrücke is one of the most photographed landmarks in Lucerne and makes for a supremely pleasant addition to any itinerary.