Karlsturm

Karlsturm rises as the southeastern tower of Zurich’s Grossmünster, a stone landmark in the city’s old town. Its internal stairway climbs through the stone tower.

The viewing platform stands high above the ground and opens across Zurich’s old town and Lake Zurich. The enclosed windows frame Zurich’s rooftops, streets, and lake.

From this height, you can trace the old town as it stretches towards the water. Lake Zurich anchors the broad city view beyond.

The Grossmünster remains closely connected with Zurich’s religious and cultural history as a former monastery. Its Romanesque crypt preserves the church’s older architectural character.

The church also contains choir windows by Augusto Giacometti and stained glass by Sigmar Polke. Bronze doors by Otto Münch mark another detail of the building.

The site connects with Zurich’s patron saints, Felix and Regula, and with the Swiss Reformation. Huldrych Zwingli began his work here in the sixteenth century.

A statue of Charlemagne stands above the south tower, adding a historical figure to the skyline. The Grossmünster’s twin towers define Zurich’s familiar skyline.