Wasserkirche - Zurich, Switzerland
Posted by: 
manchanegra
N 47° 22.195 E 008° 32.594
32T E 465514 N 5246374
Quick Description: The Wasserkirche ("Water Church") of Zürich, was built in a small island in the Linmat river.
Location: Region Zuerich (ZH), Switzerland
Date Posted: 5/1/2009 2:48:16 PM
Waymark Code: WM6A9G
Views: 2
Long Description:The Wasserkirche ("Water Church") of Zürich, first mentioned as
ecclesia Aquatica Turicensi around 1250 and as wazzirkilcha in
1256, is a church built on a small island in the Limmat, situated
between the two main churches of medieval Zürich, the Grossmünster
and the Fraumünster.
The site was likely used for cultic congregations since
Antiquity, centered around a stone now in the crypt of the church,
in medieval tradition taken to be the place of execution of Saints
Felix and Regula. A first church was built in the 10th century, and
reconstructed in various stages, culminating in a complete
reconstruction completed in 1486. In the course of the Reformation,
the Wasserkirche was identified as a place of idolatry, and it was
secularised, becoming the first public library of Zürich in 1634,
which became a focus of learning that greatly contributed to the
foundation of University of Zürich in the 19th century. The island
was connected with the right bank of the Limmat in 1839 with the
construction of the Limmatquai. The library was merged into the
Zentralbibliothek in 1917, and the church was used as a storage
room for crops for some time, until reconstruction work and
archaeological excavations were undertaken in 1940, following which
the building has again been used for services by the
Evangelical-Reformed State Church of the Canton of Zürich.
The Helmhaus is an extension of the church to the north, first
mentioned in 1253 as a court of criminal justice, at which time it
was a simple wooden structure covering the eastern end of the
bridge. It was extended to a larger wooden structure in 1563, and
replaced with a stonework hall in 1791.
From Wikipedia
Wasserkirche
Limmatquai 31
8001 Zürich
Tel. +41 (0)44 261 66 19
Visit Instructions:
As a suggestion for your visit log, please make every effort
to supply a brief-to-detailed note about your experience at the
Waymark. If possible also include an image that was taken when you
visited the Waymark. Images can be of yourself, a personal
Waymarking signature item or just one of general interest that
would be of value to others. Sharing your experience helps promote
Waymarking and provides a dynamic history of your
adventures.