Sunday, June 1, 2008

Zurich, Switzerland (May 18-19, 2008)

Home to the world's largest gold market and its own stock exchange, Zurich is Switzerland's capital of finance. It's also a city rich in history: it was inhabited by Celts as far back as the 1st century BC, ruled in turn by the Carolingians and the Zahringens, absorbed by the Holy Roman Empire, and finally joined the Swiss Confederation in 1351.

During the 16th century, Zurich embraced the Reformation and rose to prominence within Europe. The city experienced rapid industrial growth in the 19th century and became an international center of finance after the two world wars.
The view across the Limmat River to the east bank of the Old Town. The Limmat River flows through the center of the city and out to the Zurichsee Lake.
Another photo of the Limmat River and the east bank. The massive church that dominates the skyline of the east bank is the Grossmunster.
Men playing chess in the Lindenhof, a tree-covered hill on the west bank of the Limmat. The Lindenhof was once the site of a Celtic settlement and a Roman fort.
Colorful row houses in Zurich's Old Town
One last photo of the Limmat River and the east bank

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