Fresh and first-class drinking water is always available in Zurich - thanks to more than 1,200 wells that can be found every few meters in the city. This makes Zurich one of the cities with the most fountains in the world. There are exciting stories to tell about each fountain. Here are just three fountains in the city center that every visitor must have seen:
Amazonen-Brunnen on Rennweg: put into operation around 1430. With a figure adorning the fountain, it is one of the first Zurich fountains that was also considered a public work of art.
Alfred Escher fountain at the main station: in operation since 1889. Alfred Escher's figure stands in a triangle that brings together his most important achievements: as a railroad pioneer, he ensured that Zurich, with its main station, became one of Switzerland's most important transport hubs at an early stage. He was also involved in the founding of today's Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) and the Schweizerische Kreditanstalt (today Credit Suisse) on Paradeplatz.
Lindenhof fountain on the Lindenhof: in operation since 1667. Today's fountain was created in 1912 in memory of the brave women of Zurich who, in battle dress, are said to have deterred an Austrian army from a city siege in 1292.
Tip 1:
If you get thirsty while walking through Zurich, you don't need a supermarket. A drinking bottle - for example, the high-quality, reusable and lightweight Sigg drinking bottle that can be purchased at the Tourist Information - is all you need. Screw it on, fill it up and enjoy cool as well as fresh water.
Tip 2:
If you want to learn more about Zurich's endless fountains, book the city tour Wasserstadt Zürich.
Tip 3:
This map shows where the fountains are located in the city.
