The best city hikes and walks around Bezirk Winterthur

Winterthur's City Church is a striking landmark in the old town. Its two towers have dominated the cityscape since the 13th century. Inside, it impresses with Gothic architecture, valuable stained-glass windows, and a prominent organ. The church serves as a Protestant Reformed church and a cultural event venue.

Train station where the journey begins, even with post bus connection

Exciting history about Hegi Castle, and the entire surrounding area is ideal for a tour by bike or on foot.

Nice detour from the city center

There are many beautiful houses with small shops here.

Sculpture in the City Garden

from 1782 - Town Hall / City Parliament Winterthur Renovation from 1782 to 1785 (architect Johann Ulrich Büchel). The rear building "Geduld" was sold again (1 May 1782). The new town hall on Marktgasse had a classicist facade. The three axes and the generous floor heights gave the building a monumental character. A balcony with a balustrade and a gable decorated with the city's coat of arms emphasized the central axis. Mighty oak gates closed off the Kornmarkt from the alley. With the return of the music hall and the city library rooms from the "Geduld", the proud town hall from the last years of the Swiss Confederation was a multi-purpose building for trade, culture, politics and social life. With political developments, the functions of the rooms also changed. In 1831, the two councils, the 13-member Small Council and the 40-member Great Council, were replaced by a City Council with 11 members. This was supported by a 7-member accounting commission. Eleven years later, the city library moved into the new boys' school building (today the Oskar Reinhart Museum at the City Garden), in 1861 the grain market moved into the new grain hall at the train station, and since 1863 concerts have been held in the newly opened casino. Finally, in 1870, the city council and administration moved into the city hall, which meant that another renovation was necessary. The new city architect Joseph Bösch, a student of Semper, planned the renovation. It was occupied in May 1874. The main idea was a public passageway to the newly laid out Museumstrasse (today Stadthausstrasse). Eighteen shops moved in, popularly known as the bazaar. The jury court had its chamber on the first floor of the front building, the district court above it, and the governor's office, district council and court office moved into the rear building. In 1895, a 45-member Grand Council was created and the parliament moved into the town hall. From 1922 (city unification), the Grand Municipal Council, which now had 60 members, held its meetings in the town hall. In 1932, the district court and governor's office moved to Lindstrasse in the former headquarters of Unfall (Winterthur Insurance). The space was used by the municipal offices of the Justice of the Peace and Career Advice Center. From 1945, renovation plans were again considered. Source: Winterthur Libraries, Winterthur Collection, Obere Kirchgasse 6, Winterthur https://www.winterthur-glossar.ch/rathaus

from 1894 Winterthur main station In 1894/95 the architects Jung and Bridler expanded the building to its current size. They decorated the middle section with neo-baroque domes and a gable. The building has changed little on the outside since then. The expansion of the station reflects the rapid rise of rail traffic in the second half of the 19th century. The simple timber-framed building from 1855 was replaced by a stone building after just two years. In less than forty years, this grew into a palace reinforced with domes. In 1987, a two-story parking deck was built over the tracks, followed around 10 years later by a complete renovation of the station building. Finally, in 2000, the final structural development took place with the new city gate (instead of the 1st class buffet), a connecting structure between the venerable station building and the Coop City building (formerly EPA). Winterthur main station: The history of the station 122,000 people stream through Winterthur station every day. 1,100 trains pass through the fourth largest junction station in Switzerland every day. It has grown and changed with the city and its industry. What began with 40 trains a day on an area of four hectares in 1855 developed into an area of around 26 hectares with 38 kilometers of tracks and over 100 switches. Source: Winterthur libraries, Winterthur collection, Obere Kirchgasse 6, Winterthu https://www.winterthur-glossar.ch/hauptbahnhof-winterthur