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The Fraumünster and the Reformation

Relive an Eventful Time

1524 was an important year in the history of the Fraumünster. The Reformation in Zurich was in full swing when the last abbess, Katharina von Zimmern, handed over the Fraumünster Abbey to the City of Zurich. Today, a modern monument dedicated to her stands in the cloister. During the iconoclasm, altars, ornaments, frescoes and the organ were removed from the Fraumünster. As a contemporary testimony to these events, the crypt museum displays the head of a statue of the Virgin Mary whose nose was cut off. The facsimile of the foundation charter from 853 is also impressive.

Duration: 60 minutes
Meeting point: Main entrance to Fraumünster

A handwritten, historical text in dark ink on yellowed paper, with no visible illustrations or decorations.
Transfer certificate of the Fraumünster to the city of Zurich in 1524. Kanton Zürich Staatsarchiv StAZH B VI 249 (fol.144r-v)
Private tours
  • CHF 200 per group
  • English, German, French
  • Requests must be submitted at least 2 weeks before the desired date.
Public Guided Tours
Every year, we offer a wide range of up to 60 public guided tours in German.