Cradled on the west banks of Limat, Fraumunster Church is one of the most renowned destinations in Zurich. Its close proximity to a pristine river flowing to Grossmunster further enhances its charm. A popular name among the history buffs, Fraumunster dates back its existence to the 9th century.
Today, this building is also serving as a Parish church for one of the many reformed Parishes around the city. As you will usher into this space, you will be amused by its five stained glass windows which were constructed by Marc Chagall in the year 1960. A compelling addition to your Switzerland tour packages, immerse yourself in the cultural and spiritual richness this church offers, blending historical importance with artistic brilliance for a truly memorable visit
Flaunting diverse colour themes, these are 10 meter high windows which look best in the early morning light. Another thing that sets this beautiful church apart from the rest of the churches in Zurich is its enticing cl+++ock tower topped by a blue spire.
There is a small door near the spire which forms the main entrance of the church. Once you get to this place, either admire its architectural magnificence or offer your prayers to the Lord Christ. You can also delve deep into the ancient history of the church or soak in the surreal views of its surroundings.
Fraumunster Church is constructed on the remains of the aristocratic abbey, built for the beloved daughter of Louis the German. With its intriguing history, unique architecture, and enticing location, the church has undoubtedly captivated the hearts of many travellers. So, if you are planning to visit here shortly, here is everything that you must know beforehand.
How To Reach
The best way to travel from Zurich airport to Fraumunster is by boarding a train at Zurich Airport. With trains running between both the stations every half an hour, you will easily find a train from Zurich to Bahnhof, which is the central train station. Once you arrive at this point, just take a short 15 minutes walk to reach the Fraumunster church. This entire journey will not take anything more than half an hour.
Best Time To Visit
The windows of the church look vibrant in the golden sunlight of summer, and therefore it is best visited in the summer months. Fraumunster Church can be visited at any day of the week except Sunday as the church remains closed on the weekends. However, if you want to avoid too much crowd, try to visit here on a day except Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
If you want to make the most out of your Fraumunster trip, do pay a visit to this beautiful church in the morning or evening hours. In the morning, the five glass stained windows of the church create a sight to behold. The church is a real architecture marvel, and you might need around one and a half hours to explore it in entirety.
Other Essential Information
Location: Munsterhof, Zurich, Switzerland
Timings:
The church remains open for all days of the week except Sundays. It has different opening and closing times for different months which are given as follows.
- May-October: 9:00 AM-12:00 PM; 2:00 PM-6:00 PM
- March-April: 10:00 AM-12:00 PM; 2:00 PM-5:00 PM
- November-February: 10:00 AM-12:00 PM; 2:00 AM-4:00 PM
Entry fee: 5 Swiss Francs
Distance from Zurich airport: 12.4 Km
History of Fraumunster Church
In the years from 1833 and 1844, the church was hosted by Protestants and Catholics. It was not until the 20th century that it saw a major renovation and the stained glass windows were constructed by Marc Chagall. Though the present church marks its existence since 1250, it still has the preserves of old abbey church beneath it.
The Architecture of Fraumunster Church
As you enter this church, you will be welcomed with the sight of three aisles, a Gothic nave, and a Romanesque Choir. With a notable height of 18 meters, the choir is one of the many beautiful things inside the church. The church also features the modern series of frescoes to mark the establishment of Fraumunster.
As you move to the north direction, be ready to be amused at the sight of a stained-glass window which depicts God, eight prophet, ten angels, and four Evangelists which was constructed by Giacometti. In addition to the Giacometti glass window, Fraumunster also has a group of another five glass windows which were built by Chagall in the year 1970.
These 10 meters tall windows look attractive with different colour themes. While the red and yellow colour represents heaven, the blue and green colour stands for the earth. The red and orange-coloured windows are named as Prophet windows, which represents Elisha witnessing Elijah's ascension from her chariot.
The leftmost pane is called the Jacob window, and the far-right yellow-coloured window is Zion Window. The southern side of the wall has a blue Law window, in which the Moses can be seen holding the Ten Commandments. In the centre, you will get to see the largest of all the windows, the Christ Window.
Interesting Story about Fraumunster Church
Fraumunster Church has an interesting story behind the construction of its five glass stained windows. It is believed that in the year 1960, Zurich city officials ran an extensive hunt for an artist who can build stained windows for the beautiful church. Despite their whole-hearted efforts, they couldn't find a good artist.
In the year 1967, a massive Chagall exhibition was hosted in one of the art museums. The show presented several of his paintings that symbolized love, peace, and faith. The Fraumunster pastor got captivated by the beauty of these paintings and selected Chagall for the construction of stained glass windows.
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