ZURICH
In Zurich, the custom of the Christmas Markets is just felt, to the point of wanting to prove a loud voice to those who do not know! In fact, for those tourists who chose to get into the city by train, is expected from the central station and immediate immersion in the nice stalls, a demonstration snapshot of the Christmas spirit Swiss
This is the Christmas market in the Hauptbahnhof, which takes place on the lower level of the station, to be precise in what is called ShopVille – RailCity. This is considered the largest indoor Christmas market in Europe! Since 1993, every year for Advent, the Zurich main station becomes a vast expanse of wooden houses, complete with a roof covered with snow artificilamente.
A strike immediately the attention of visitors is the majestic Christmas tree in the center of the station, decorated with more than 5,000 Swarovski crystals that exude a scntillìo charming and incredibly attractive. All around the tree are arranged more than 160 banquet, displaying all kinds of products: hats forge refined, fine jewelry, scented candles and lamps, wooden carved, silk scarves, Christmas decorations, jackets and giocattolli. L ‘gastronomic offer then is enormous: baked potatoes, smoked salmon, cervelat (sausage), roasted corn, crepes, raclette cheese on bread and cheese. For the sweet tooth, there is to lose your head between Nideltafeli (sweets made with butter and sugar), chocolates in every shape and taste, the chocolate bars decorated the Magenbrot (gingerbread covered in icing ), gingerbread, nougat and crisp, brownies, apple fritters and Berliner (donuts).
But Zurich has a wonderful Christmas Market in the open, in the beautiful Hirschenplatz, in the old town (Altstadt). We are close to Niederdorfstrasse and Rosenhof, City Hall, and in this medieval setting is added to the Christmas Market in the city’s oldest. Here, 120 houses of artisans and vendors from around the world attract passers-by with their handmade products: Christmas decorations, knitwear, candles, greeting cards, dolls and ceramics. In the food stalls are sausages of various kinds, Langos (Hungarian garlic bruschetta), Christmas cookies, mulled wine, coffee, beer and the typical Jagertee (literally tea hunter), or a hot drink made with black tea , Obstler (particularly fruit brandy) and spicy herbs.
There is also a Christmas market that could be defined more fashionable: the City-Weihnachtsmarkt, the Christmas Market which is held since 1994 in the Bahnhofstrasse, the heart of the shopping. The atmosphere is very private and intimate between 12 log cabins, where you can buy candles, CD, wooden handicrafts, toys, fragrances, fashion accessories, mulled wine, gingerbread, sausages, grilled and roasted chestnuts biscuits.
Finally there is the Christmas Market Werdmühleplatz, made particularly sweet and serene by the choirs of children under the Christmas tree.
DATES AND TIMES OF CHRISTMAS MARKETS 2013
23.11.2013 – 23.12.2013
Christmas Market at Central Station
Hauptbahnhof
Monday – Friday from 11.00 to 21.00
Saturday & Sunday from 10.00 to 20.00
12.22 . from 11.00 to 22.00
24.12. from 11.00 to 16.00
06.12.2013 – 23.12.2013
Christmas market in the Old City
Hirschenplatz
Monday – Friday from 11.00 to 20.00
Saturday & Sunday from 11.00 to 18.00
25.11.2013 – 23.12.2013
Christmas Market under the Christmas Tree Lyrics
Werdmühleplatz
Monday – Friday from 17.30 to 18.30
Saturday & Sunday from 14.30 to 15.30 & from 17.30 to 18.30
17.11 – 31.11
Christmas market near Globus
Globus
Monday – Saturday from 9.00 to 20.00
24.11 – 24.12
Christmas at Bellevue
Sechselauten platz , surich bellevue , Theaterstrasse
Monday – Friday from 11.00 to 20.00
Saturday & Sunday from 10.00 to 18.00
24.11 – 24.12
Market to Shopville Railcity
ShopVille and station
Sunday – Wednesday from 11.00 to 21.00
Thursday – Saturday from 11.00 am to 22.00 pm
Zurich has about 370,000 inhabitants and, although not very large, as well as being the largest city in Switzerland, is one of the major financial centers worldwide. And ‘situated in the heart of Europe, in the heart of Switzerland, 400 meters above sea level along the northern shores of the lake. Zurich is a truly amazing city with a multicultural atmosphere and offers a variety of highly unusual. It ‘a cultural, scientific and economic, with modern infrastructure seamlessly integrated into a natural environment, ideal for studies and research at the international level. But above all, one might say, is a unique mix: on the one hand the wonderful scenery of the lake and snow-capped Alps, the artistic wonders in more than 50 museums and over 100 art galleries, other prestigious names in international fashion , nightlife and more intense than the Swiss public bathing by the lake.
The city tour begins naturally from the historical center. Here is the Grossmünster, the symbol of the city, where, according to legend, he stopped the horse of Charlemagne, discovered the tombs of the patron saints Felix and Regula, wanted to build you a church as a monastery of canons. The nearby Wasserkirche instead, according to legend, was built on the site of the martyrdom of the saints, who were beheaded after being unable to move on their own and buried nearby. Grossmünster Church was officially built in the late Gothic period and during the Reformation was robbed of its treasures. In the same period, was the starting point of the Protestant Swiss-German, led by Ulrich Zwingli and Heinrich Bullinger. The open room Helmhaus was used as a courtroom and covered market, while today it is intended as an exhibition space for young artists. The theological college then annexed to the convent was the cradle of the University of Zurich.
The massive University of Zurich was built in 1864 to designs by Gottfried Semper. Half a century later, the building was built next to a no less impressive, ETH Zurich, also known as Federal Polytechnic, now attended by 30,000 students and associated with 21 Nobel Laureates
The Rathaus, the Town Hall citizen, is a Baroque construction 1694-98 and stands in the place of the old town hall, which was on the side of the river Limmat. It was built under the guidance of the director and master builder JH Holzhalb.
The station Stadelhofen rises as reconstruction of the building dates back to 1884 and in late classical style, which was preserved and integrated into the shelter of concrete and steel designed by the famous architect Santiago Calatrava. The most original feature of the building lies in the unusual folding doors, designed for the closing night of the streets leading to the docks and shopping area underground.
The Theatre of prose Schiffbau is the result of the architect Peter Kern, who has transformed an old factory in an area where you do theater, music and cuisine. This former textile factory has been converted into a city within a city, with a number of trendy bars, with windows that make it look like an aquarium, with four stages and the theater, the fulcrum of the entire structure.
Sihlcity, located in an old mill, is the new district south of Zurich, in 2007 became one of the most “in” the city. Here you can choose from more than 13 eateries, 80 shops, 9 cinemas, a hotel and a wellness and fitness center. Sihlcity combines old structures with trendy architecture.
About 150 years ago, and defended by a moat that surrounded the city, was founded in the Bahnhofstrasse, today considered the ultimate shopping street in Zurich. E ‘above the road that has created a reputation for Zurich as a shopper’s paradise, as it is the most exclusive address for fashion, jewelery and watches from the biggest names at the international level, but above the city. But it is not the only place to find the Zürich labels, which often hide where they are less predictable, especially in the districts of Aussersihl or Zürich-West, also known for the myriad of local and vitality at night.
The cuisine of Zurich was naturally affected by the influence of neighboring Germany and is primarily based on tasty food and calories. At the bottom we find the meat, including the big sausage served with sauerkraut and pickles. As in all of Switzerland, Zurich is the excellent range of cheeses and chocolate. Among the beverages, spread the use of beer, not that of wine.
To reach Zurich for now there is no direct flight from Cagliari, to be introduced from next spring 2013.
To go to the Christmas markets Kalariseventi recommend closer to Rome Fiumicino with the first flight from Cagliari by Meridiana and Alitalia from Rome or the connection is guaranteed by the Swiss company Swiss Air www.swiss.com.
For example Arrival / return Rome-Zurich during the period of the Immaculate Conception (December 7 to 10 operational flights) will be charged at € 140 including tax.
