LIMMAT RIVER, ZÜRICH, SWITZERLAND

A Road Trip(384pages)B01786HRSG Oct.26,2

Switzerland

"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes." - Marcel Proust

Historic Cities & Sites to Visit

Switzerland is a landlocked country, bordered by Germany to the north, France to the west, Italy to the south and Austria and Liechtenstein to the east. These neighboring countries influenced Switzerland's culture and development. Much of the country's landscape is covered by mountains, separated by mountain passes which brought in people and goods since prehistoric times. Switzerland also has over 1,500 lakes; the two largest lakes, Lake Geneva & Lake Constance, lie on the borders of France and Germany respectively.

Switzerland has 11 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, both natural and cultural. The country is also the birthplace of the International Red Cross, the largest humanitarian network in the world. Who hasn't heard of the legendary William Tell? His birthplace is at the town of Seelisberg. Cheese fondue and Lindt chocolate anyone? These well-known items of decadence originated here.

Schloss Laufen, Neuhausen

Schloss Laufen Castle, a former home of the Barons of Laufen, is the gateway down to the Rhine Falls. It dates back to 858.

Wörth Castle

Built in the 12th century as a customs and trade hub. It sits beside the Rhine just below the Rhine Fall.

Rhine Falls (Rheinfall), Schaffhausen

The large rock formation in the middle of the Rhine is a remnant of the original limestone cliff flanking the former channel.

The Treib-Seelisberg Furnicular

Also called inclined railway connects the Seelisberg above to the village of Treib below.

The Lion Monument, Luzern

The Lion Monument, also known as the "Dying Lion", was created to commemorate the loyalty and bravery of the Swiss Guards, hundreds of whom died protecting the French Monarchy during the French Revolution in 1792.

Chapel Bridge, Lucerne

Chapel Bridge, a 13th century covered wooden footbridge that stretches across from the old town on the right bank to the new town on the left bank of Reuss River.

Triangular framed paintings

The triangular framed paintings found in covered bridges depict the history of Lucerne and its religious background.

Old Town, Luzern

A the right bank of the Reuss River is the Old Town with interesting squares surrounded by historical buildings, mostly designed with colorful frescoes on the facades.

Musseg Wall, Luzern

Musseg Wall was built in 1386 to protect the city from attack by enemies in the northwest. The wall is part of the historic town's fortification with 30 towers, nine of which still exist today.

Mill Bridge, Luzern

Mill Bridge (Spreuerbrücke), is a 15th century wooden pedestrain bridge located downriver of Reuss River. It was built as part of the old city fortifications.

Bahnhofstrasse, Zurich

The train station's neo-renaissance building was built in 1871.

Limmat River, Zurich

Limmat River with steeples of the three major protestant churches in Zurich.

Churches & Abbey

Much of Switzerland's earliest architecture was built by the Romans and dates back to the 1st and 2nd centuries A.D. Dozens of cities, towns and villages have Roman origins. Some evidence of these can be found in medieval sections of Zürich, Basel, Geneva and Lausanne. These important cities were created during the Roman or the Carolingian period and have their shares of Roman ruins, medieval churches, monasteries and castles.

Parish of St. Michael, Seelisberg

The main entrance of this church is facing Lake Luzern. The church was restored, enlarged and extended but its four bells which date back to 1863 still remain.

The Church of St. Xavier, Luzern

A Jesuit church built in the mid-17th century was dedicated to the church's patron saint, the Jesuit missionary Saint Francis Xavier.

Lucerne Cathedral

Court Church of St. Leodegar also known as Lucerne Cathedral, was named after the patron saint of Leodegar of Poiters, a martyrd Burgundian Bishop of Autun.

Fraumünster Abbey & Peterskirche, Zurich

From the east bank of the Limmat River, looking across the Münster Bridge.