Christmas Markets in Zurich

Zurich's origins stretch back to Roman times when it served as a customs post called Turicum, though Celtic settlements preceded that era. The city gained prominence in the Middle Ages as a free imperial city and became a center of the Swiss Reformation in the 16th century under Huldrych Zwingli. Its strategic position at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich made it a natural trading hub, and the establishment of guilds shaped its economic and political structure for centuries. By the 19th century, Zurich had transformed into Switzerland's financial capital while preserving its historic core, and today it balances its role as a global banking center with a deep respect for tradition and quality of life.

Christmas Market History: Zurich's Christmas market tradition centers on the Christkindlimarkt at the main train station, which has operated since the late 19th century. The city's markets blend Germanic Advent customs with Swiss craftsmanship, reflecting Zurich's position at the cultural crossroads of German-speaking Europe.