cost. The salesperson, dressed in a crisp suit, smiled politely and showed me a watch that cost more than my entire trip. I let out a cough\u2014loud enough to make nearby customers glance over\u2014and mumbled something about \u201cneeding to check my budget.\u201d I practically sprinted out of the store, my face redder than a Swiss flag. Note to self: Stick to window-shopping on Bahnhofstrasse unless you\u2019re a millionaire (or have a very generous aunt).\u200b<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Lindenhof Hill: Roman Ruins and Giant Chessboards\u200b<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After escaping the pressure of Bahnhofstrasse\u2019s luxury, I headed to Lindenhof Hill\u2014a peaceful oasis overlooking Zurich\u2019s Old Town. Perched on a small hill, this park offers panoramic views of the Limmat River, which winds through the city like a ribbon of lime-green soda.\u200b<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As I walked up the cobblestone path, I noticed a group of elderly men playing chess on a giant outdoor board. The pieces were as tall as small children, and the players took their moves so seriously, I half-expected them to pull out swords if someone made a bad move. I sat on a bench and watched, amused by their dramatic hand gestures and loud debates in Swiss German (a language that sounds like someone\u2019s trying to speak German while eating a pretzel).\u200b<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But Lindenhof Hill isn\u2019t just for chess lovers\u2014it\u2019s also a site of historical significance. During the Roman era, it was a strategic military outpost used to collect taxes from merchants traveling along the Limmat River. Back then, soldiers would charge a fee for every mule, cart, or boat passing through\u2014sort of like an ancient toll booth. I laughed to myself thinking about how little has changed: today, Zurich still charges a pretty penny for everyday items. I once paid 8 Swiss francs (about $9) for a can of Coke at a convenience store\u2014talk about a modern-day \u201cmule tax\u201d!\u200b<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As I explored the park, I stumbled upon a small stone wall that marked the remains of the Roman outpost. I leaned against it, half-expecting to smell the cigar smoke of Thomas Mann, the famous German author who wrote \u201cThe Magic Mountain\u201d while living in Zurich. Mann often visited Lindenhof Hill to find inspiration, and I like to think his ghost still lingers here, watching over the city he loved.\u200b<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Fraum\u00fcnster Church: Chagall\u2019s Stained Glass and Reformation Fireworks\u200b<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No trip to Zurich is complete without a visit to Fraum\u00fcnster Church, a Gothic masterpiece famous for its stunning stained glass windows designed by Marc Chagall. The moment I stepped inside, I was greeted by a flood of color\u2014deep blues, vibrant reds, and shimmering golds that danced across the stone floors as sunlight filtered through the glass.\u200b<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tourists around me stood with their heads tilted back, mouths open, like they\u2019d all contracted a case of \u201cneck tilt syndrome.\u201d I joined them, staring at the windows in awe. Chagall\u2019s designs tell stories from the Bible, but they\u2019re not your typical religious art\u2014they\u2019re whimsical, dreamlike, and full of unexpected details (like a cow wearing a crown). It\u2019s no wonder people travel from all over the world to see them.\u200b<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But Fraum\u00fcnster Church has a more fiery history than its peaceful interior suggests. In the 16th century, it was at the center of the Protestant Reformation, led by Ulrich Zwingli\u2014a Swiss priest who wanted to simplify the Catholic Church\u2019s rituals. Zwingli believed that religious art, including statues and stained glass, was a distraction from God. So, in 1524, he and his followers marched into Fraum\u00fcnster Church and destroyed most of the artwork, including the original stained glass windows. I like to imagine Zwingli as a 16th-century interior designer gone rogue\u2014\u201cSorry, but this statue is just too extra. Out it goes!\u201d\u200b<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thankfully, the church was restored over the years, and Chagall\u2019s windows we<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
cost. The salesperson, dressed in a crisp suit, smiled politely and showed me a watch that cost more than my entire trip. I let out a cough\u2014loud enough to make nearby customers glance over\u2014and mumbled something about \u201cneeding to check<\/p>\n