Zurich, city of spires, mirror of the Alps, and the undisputed pacesetter of Switzerland – and yet: beneath the smooth surface of modernity lies a multi-voiced chorus of legends and myths. Those who listen will hear more than just the rattling of the trams and the rippling of the Limmat River. Another world lives in Zurich – an ancient, hidden, mystical one.
The legend of Charlemagne and the founding of the Grossmünster
Let's start with a rider. More precisely, Charlemagne, who was hunting in the Zurich region. Suddenly, his horse knelt down – at a spot where two martyrs were said to have once been buried: Felix and Regula, siblings from the Roman Theban Legion who were persecuted for their Christian faith.
Legend has it that they were beheaded—but after their execution, they supposedly picked up their severed heads and carried them up a hill, where they eventually collapsed. The Grossmünster, Zurich's landmark, later grew on the spot where their bodies fell. Even today, this place attracts pilgrims, skeptics, and storytellers—and those standing in the crypt sometimes feel as if they can sense an invisible force within the stone.
The Water Church and the Secret Knowledge
Not far from the Grossmünster, right on the water, stands the Wasserkirche (Water Church) – once built on a small island, precisely on the spot where Felix and Regula are said to have been executed. This place was long considered sacred – or sinister, depending on who you asked.
In the Middle Ages, people feared the curse of the ancient gods, which is still felt here. Later, the church became a center for humanism: Ulrich Zwingli worked here, and a library was built here, which later became the nucleus of today's central library. But beneath the church, in the crypt, a hint of ancient knowledge still rests today—a place that many perceive as a spiritual force field.
The Treasure in the Zürichberg
Behind Zurich's fine facades lies the Zürichberg district, now home to villas, hotels, and verdant forests. But beneath these hills lies a legend that still makes people sweat: The Treasure of the Zürichberg.
Once, it is said, a hermit lived there who knew of a legendary hoard of gold – hidden deep beneath the mountain, guarded by spirits, and sealed by an ancient ritual. A few brave men are said to have attempted to retrieve it. But no sooner had they opened the earth with picks and spades than the sky turned dark, and a storm drove them back. Since then, it has been said: Only those of pure heart will find the treasure – and lead Zurich into a new era.
The Devil and the Fraumünster
Not only saints, but also the devil has left his mark on Zurich. A dark legend surrounds the Fraumünster, the delicate church with the world-famous stained-glass windows by Marc Chagall.
An old story says that the devil himself tried to prevent the founding of the convent, which was founded in the 9th century by Emperor Louis the German for his daughters. As the pious women laid the foundation stone, a dark shadow appeared and ignited a fire. But an angel—or perhaps Regula herself—protected the church, and the devil had to leave without accomplishing anything.
Since then, it is said that on particularly foggy nights he wanders through the alleys around the cathedral, looking for a new place of discord.
Witches, nights and secret courtyards
Zurich's Old Town, especially the Niederdorf and the area around Neumarkt, was the scene of dark times in the late Middle Ages. Here, women—healers, herbalists, midwives—were accused of witchcraft and interrogated. The so-called "Water Chamber" beneath today's Town Hall served as the place of interrogation. The Limmat River, normally so peaceful, witnessed blood-curdling verdicts.
Today, some courtyards seem out of time. And sometimes, when the wind whistles through the walls and a shutter rattles, you might think a voice from bygone days is whispering a spell—or a warning.
Zurich – Where stone and spirit merge
Zurich is a place that doesn't reveal its secrets to everyone. However, anyone willing to walk through the city with alert senses—perhaps in the twilight, when the shadows lengthen—will discover more than just well-kept facades. Zurich is a city with heart, soul—and a hidden magic that lives on in every legend, every cobblestone, every echo of the bells.
