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The capital of theSwiss canton of the same name which is the second largest and richest of the twenty-fiveSwiss cantons. The city is the largest inSwitzerland, and has 200,000 inhabitants. It has a commanding position on the beautiful outlet of Lake Zurich; to the west and east are the wooded heights of the Uetliberg and Zurichberg, and there is a fine view of the thickly settled and fruitful banks of the lake with handsome villages along the shore; in the background towards he south and south-east is an imposing circle of lofty mountains in Glarus, Schwyz, Noi, etc. The climate is mild and healthful. The prehistoric history of the city and its vicinity extends back to the Stone Age, the first and second Bronze Age, and the iron Age, as isproved by the discovery of numerous lake-swellings and remains of graves. Probably even as far back as the time of the ancient Helvetii a town existed on the site of Zurich.
Historically the city first appears under the name of Turicum, during the period of the Roman supremacy inSwitzerland at the beginning of theChristian era.Christianity was probably also introduced during this period. According to legend the Faith was brought to Zurich by members of the Theban Legion. Felix, Regula, and Exuperantius are thepatron saints of the city. After the Allamani had conquered the northern part ofSwitzerland during the era of the migration (fourth and fifth centuries), Zurich became the capital of the districts or hundreds of Zurich. In the earlymedieval period Zurich was ruled by theabbess of Fraumunster, theabbess being called "the great lady of Zurich". At a later date it was a free city of the empire, and in 1351 it joined theSwiss Confederation, then the "union of the eight old towns". Like Berne and Schwyz, Zurich has an important place both in the early history ofSwitzerland and in its modern history. At the beginning of the sixteenth century it became the cradle and leading power of theReformation in GermanSwitzerland under the guidance of itspastor HuldreichZwingli, who joined theReformers; the city was also the main supporter ofZwinglianism (as opposed toLutheranism andCalvinism).
The city is built on the banks at the end of the lake and along the River Limmat, its outlet, and climbs the lower heights on both sides of the river. It is divided into the Old Town and the New Town; the latter is mainly composed of suburbs and surrounding townships which were formerly independent but which now are united with the Old Town. In the Old Town many houses still exist that are historically and architecturally interesting. The New Town has some very fine streets, notably the street leading to the railway station, which is considered one of the finest inEurope. There are large and small parks, finely situated. The city is governed by an executive council of seven members, the head of which is the chief official of the city; the executive council is aided by the "great council", a form of town parliament. Both official boards are elected by the citizens for three years; all citizens twenty years of age who are capable of bearing arms have theright to vote. In religiousbelief the inhabitants are: 130,000Protestants, 50,000Catholics 3000Old Catholics, 5000Jews, and 10,000 belong to no denomination. The most active religious body is theCatholic. TheProtestants possess eight large churches, of which the Grossmunster and the Fraumunster are of much historical interest. TheCatholics have three churches and variouschapels, and two new churches are in course of construction; they are cared for by twenty-fourpriests.
Zurich is celebrated for itsschools. The sum assigned by the budget to the primary and middleschools of the city for 1913 was five million francs ($1,000,000). Among theschools are a large cantonal gymnasium, a commercial high-school, the cantonaluniversity, the Federal polytechnicschool, and the conservatory for music. In addition there are a large number of privateschools andeducational institutions, mainly attended by foreigners. The city possesses large scientific, technical, and art collections, and importantlibraries. The famousSwiss national museum is also situated at Zurich. As the banking centre ofSwitzerland, Zurich contains the main Office of theSwiss National Bank; of theSwiss loan and Mortgage Company, of theSwiss Banking Association, etc. It also contains an important stock-exchange, and silk, cotton, and grain exchanges. Zurich is a great centre of continental traffic and a railway junction for traffic between the east and west and north and south ofEurope. There are large numbers of religious and charitablesocieties and associations for the benefit of the public, besides learned, professional, and athletic organizations. The city contains large numbers of benevolent institutions, administered by the canton, city or private organizations; there are excellenthospitals and sanatoriums. There is a fine hall for music with an excellent orchestra; Zurich has also places for athletic contests and exhibitions of aviation.
APA citation.Baumberger, G.(1912).Zurich. InThe Catholic Encyclopedia.New York: Robert Appleton Company.http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15770b.htm
MLA citation.Baumberger, Georg."Zurich."The Catholic Encyclopedia.Vol. 15.New York: Robert Appleton Company,1912.<http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15770b.htm>.
Transcription.This article was transcribed for New Advent by Michael T. Barrett.Dedicated to Calvin Swearingin.
Ecclesiastical approbation.Nihil Obstat. October 1, 1912. Remy Lafort, S.T.D., Censor.Imprimatur. +John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New York.
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