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Northern Swiss cities

Switzerland's northern cities offer historical landmarks and breathtaking architecture. Before you head for the winter wonderlands of the South, make time for the cultural landmarks of the North.

Zürich is Switzerland's largest city. The Limmat River runs through its heart. Along the riverbanks, the architecture reflects 2,000 years of civilization. The adoption of a guild structure for Zürich’s government in 1336 (which balanced power between tradesmen and the nobility) and the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century profoundly shaped Zürich's cultural and social development. Many of Zürich's medieval guild houses, for example, have been transformed into elegant restaurants.

Zürich offers visitors a cultural feast as well as a gastronomic one. Fabulous collections grace more than two dozen museums. Composer Richard Wagner once walked Zürich’s cobbled streets and Johannes Brahms personally opened Stadt Theater, Zürich's resplendent concert hall. Don’t miss the majestic Grossmünster. The church dates from the 11th and 12th centuries, and its twin spires serve as a symbol of the city. Modern Zürich combines all the amenities of a major metropolis with the charm and convenience of a small city.

Almost everything in Zürich is located within a 20-minute walk from the town center. The Bahnhofstrasse translates literally as "train station street," but in Zürich, it’s also the path to great shopping. With its cultural diversity and global appeal, it's no wonder Zürich is called "the metropolis made in Switzerland."

The Limmat joins the Rhine near the border Switzerland shares with France and Germany. You’ll discover Switzerland's only port city, Basel, where the Rhine turns north. The dramatic Basel gate will welcome you as it has welcomed visitors to Basel for centuries.

On the river knoll stands one of many stunning remnants of Basel's past, the city’s great cathedral. Erasmus, a leading 16th-century humanist, is entombed there. Not far away, farmers from three countries have gathered at the marketplace just outside Basel's historic town hall each weekday morning for nearly 600 years. Another historic site is Switzerland's first university, founded in 1460, where Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche was once a professor.

Baselers, as the city’s denizens are called, ardently support all sorts of cultural pursuits. In fact, the world's first public art space, the Kuntsmuseum, opened there in 1662. The premier zoo in Switzerland (and one of the oldest in the world) opened in Basel in the late 1800s. Today, the thousands of animals there delight visitors young and old at the Zoologischer Garten Basel. Perhaps sculptor Jean Tinguely’s Carnival Fountain best captures the busy spirit of Basel, a city filled with amusements.

In 612, an Irish monk named Gallus journeyed east along the Rhine to the vast forest region of the Arbonne. His mission was to bring peace and Christianity to warring people in the region. He founded a monastery there and St. Gallen was born. Since then, the city has maintained a reputation as a venerable center of intellectual enlightenment.

St. Gallen also serves as the hub of the Swiss textile industry. The design and production of fabulous fabrics have been a tradition there for generations. The Textile Museum houses many exquisite examples of handcrafted needlework. Visit the old town of St. Gallen, and step inside a picture postcard come to life. You'll find a charming city bright with learning, alive with industry and at peace with the natural beauty surrounding it.

Medieval western cities

In the western cities of Lausanne, Bern and Geneva, traces of Switzerland as it must have been in the Middle Ages mix with modern-day government and business centers.

In French-speaking Switzerland, Lausanne crowns majestic Lake Geneva. The romance of the language echoes through the forests, vineyards and the hearts of Lausanne's residents. The old contrasts with the new in a subtle way in Lausanne, as cobblestone streets meander past 20th century rooftops. Remnants of the Middle Ages are easy to find and fun to discover.

As headquarters of the International Olympic committee since 1915, Lausanne encourages the spirit of competition and fun. A morning meeting or conference in the Palais de Beaulieu can be followed by an afternoon excursion to France or Italy. It's easy to mix business with pleasure in a city with such captivating spirit and charm.

In 1191, the Duke of Zähringen founded a city in the bend of the Aare River, naming it – according to legend – after the quarry of his first hunting venture. Thus Bern came to be known as the “City of Bears.”

Today, German-speaking Bern thrives as the federal capital and delights visitors as one of the best-preserved medieval towns in the world. Bern’s old clock tower started ticking in 1530, and unique fountains that also date to the 16th century can still be seen.

Twice weekly, country folk and city dwellers congregate on the steps of Parliament for market day. Five miles of arcades offer shopping, dining and discovery for all ages. While visiting, be sure to see the art and natural history museums, which stand as testaments to Switzerland's glorious past.

Bordering France, Geneva is the cultural and intellectual center of French-speaking Switzerland. Geneva's Jet d'Eau is to that city what the Eiffel Tower is to Paris. Spouting a stream of water 400 feet above the left bank of Lake Geneva, the Jet d'Eau is visible from most vantage points and is a spectacular backdrop for travel photographs.

During the 17th century, Switzerland embarked on a policy of neutrality. This policy has led to national unity that continues to the present. The Parc de L’Ariana surrounds the permanent European headquarters of the United Nations, once known as the League of Nations.

Close to the U.N. European headquarters is the Red Cross Museum. A modern reminder of Geneva's prominence in world affairs, the museum pays tribute to the work of the Red Cross, which was founded there in 1863. More than 200 international organizations are headquartered in Geneva, a city of compassion and peace.