Zurich's most recognizable landmark, the twin-towered Grossmünster has stood above the Limmat since the late 11th century. Legend ties its founding to Charlemagne, though the current structure is Romanesque. This is where Huldrych Zwingli launched the Swiss Reformation in 1519, and the church's history is inseparable from that movement.
Inside, the Romanesque cloister preserves late-12th-century sculptural capitals. The crypt holds a weathered 15th-century statue of Charlemagne (the colourful original is in the crypt museum). Modern stained glass by Augusto Giacometti and Sigmar Polke adds unexpected colour. Climb the 187 steps of the Karlsturm for a panoramic view over the old town, the lake, and the Alps on clear days.