A former abbey church on the west bank of the Limmat, home to five colourful stained-glass windows by Marc Chagall installed in 1970 and a tall Giacometti-designed window in the north transept.
The Fraumünster began in 853 as an abbey for noblewomen founded by Louis the German, and the abbess once ruled the city and minted its coins. The present Romanesque and Gothic church, with its slim green copper spire (rebuilt in 1732), dominates Münsterhof. Its main draw is the choir, where Marc Chagall's five windows, completed in 1970, tell biblical stories in glowing blues, reds, greens and yellows; Augusto Giacometti's tall window in the north transept is an earlier modern counterpoint. The cloister walk, reached from the Stadthausquai side, holds early 20th-century murals by Paul Bodmer illustrating the legend of Zürich's patron saints Felix and Regula. Visits are short but intense; allow time for the windows to change as the sun moves. The interior is quiet and photography is not allowed. The Fraumünster sits a few steps from the Limmat, Paradeplatz and the Münsterhof square, which makes it a natural pairing with the Grossmünster across the river.
| Admission | Adult Approx. CHF 5 (approx $6.25) · Child Reduced or free for children; confirm at the entrance |
|---|---|
| Hours | Approx. Mon-Sat 10AM-6PM (Apr-Oct), 10AM-5PM (Nov-Mar); Sun opens around noon after services; closed during services and events |
| Typical visit | 30-45 minutes |
| Best time | Late morning on a sunny day, when light streams through the Chagall windows |
| Getting there | Tram 4, 11, 13 or 15 to Paradeplatz or Bahnhofstrasse/HB, then 3 minutes' walk; 8 minutes on foot from Zürich Hauptbahnhof |
| Address | Münsterhof 2, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland |
Good to know
- Best for
- art lovers, architecture lovers, quiet reflection
Location
Münsterhof 2, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
47.3696, 8.5416 View on map
Highlights
- Five Chagall windows in the choir (1970)
- Augusto Giacometti's tall window in the north transept
- Cloister murals depicting the legend of Felix and Regula
- Slim green spire among the best-known silhouettes on the Limmat
Tips for visiting
- Photography inside is not permitted, so look carefully rather than shooting
- The five Chagall windows in the choir are best seen in morning to midday light
- Walk through the adjoining cloister with its murals of the city's founding legends
When to visit
Late morning on a sunny day, when light streams through the Chagall windows.
Accessibility
The entrance has a ramp and the nave is level; the cloister has some uneven paving. Ask staff at the entrance for assistance.
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Frequently asked questions
Is photography allowed inside the Fraumünster?
No. Photography inside the church is not permitted so that the Chagall windows can be viewed in silence.
When is the best time to see the Chagall windows?
Late morning on a sunny day, when daylight strikes the choir and the colours are at their strongest.