Bahnhofstrasse (lit. 'Railway Station Street') in the Swiss city of Zurich is the city's main downtown street and one of the world's most expensive and exclusive shopping avenues. In 2011, a study named Bahnhofstrasse the most expensive street for retail property in Europe, and the third most expensive worldwide.[1] In 2016, the street ranked ninth.[2]

History

Fröschengraben at Rennwegtor, the Rennweg gate of the former fortifications of Zurich.

It came into existence when the city fortifications were demolished in 1864 and the ditch in front of the walls was filled in. Until that time, the name of the location had been Fröschengraben (lit. 'Ditch of the Frogs'), which then was changed to Bahnhofstrasse.

Layout

At its northern end, Bahnhofstrasse starts at Bahnhofplatz (lit. 'Railway Station Square') in front of the station building of Zürich Hauptbahnhof, the city's main railway station (47°22′40″N 8°32′25″E / 47.37778°N 8.54028°E / 47.37778; 8.54028 (Zürich Hauptbahnhof)), and fountain with the statue of Alfred Escher. Running in a mostly southernly direction, it passes the Pestalozziwiese (named after Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi), Rennweg, Augustinergasse and Paradeplatz, before it ends after 1.4 km (0.87 mi) at Bürkliplatz (47°22′02″N 8°32′27″E / 47.3671°N 8.5409°E / 47.3671; 8.5409 (Bürkliplatz)) on the northern shore of Lake Zurich.

Paradeplatz, one of the most famous squares in Switzerland, is situated on the southern portion of Bahnhofstrasse. The two biggest Swiss banks, UBS and the Credit Suisse Group, have their headquarters there. Paradeplatz is also known for its chocolate shop and cafe, Confiserie Sprüngli.

Shops

Some of the many shops along Bahnhofstrasse include:

Transport

Bahnhofstrasse at Pestalozziwiese

The street is largely pedestrianised, but is also an important link in the Zurich tram network of VBZ.

  • North of Paradeplatz, the street carries tram routes 6, 7, 11, 13 and 17
  • South of Paradeplatz, it carries lines 2, 8, 9 and 11

There are several tram stops along Bahnhofstrasse, named Bahnhofstrasse/HB (near main station), Rennweg, Paradeplatz, Kantonalbank and Bürkliplatz. Nodal stations are at Bürkliplatz, Paradeplatz and at Main Station. The Lake Zurich navigation company has a landing stage at Bürkliplatz.

The street is mostly closed to private transport, except for a short stretch near Rennweg.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Bahnhofstrasse rents at record high". swissinfo.ch. 7 February 2012.
  2. ^ "New York's Upper 5th Av remains world's most expensive retail street". www.cushmanwakefield.com.

47°22′16.99″N 8°32′19.14″E / 47.3713861°N 8.5386500°E / 47.3713861; 8.5386500


Allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bahnhofstrasse,_Z%C3%BCrich
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