Bahnhofstrasse

{{Infobox street

| name = Bahnhofstrasse

| native_name =

| image = Bahnhofstrasse-2019.jpg

| caption = {{lang|de|Bahnhofstrasse}} near {{lang|de|Bahnhofplatz}}

| former_names =

| postal_code = 8001

| addresses = Bahnhofstrasse

| length = {{convert|1.4|km|mi|1}}

| width =

| location = Zurich, Switzerland

| owner =

| type = pedestrian zone, road, tramway

| coordinates = {{coord|47|22|16.99|N|8|32|19.14|E}}

| commissioning_date =

| construction_start_date =

| completion_date =

| inauguration_date =

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| cost =

}}

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 {{lang|de|Bahnhofstrasse}} the most expensive street for retail property in Europe, and the third most expensive worldwide.{{cite news |url=http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/business/Bahnhofstrasse_rents_at_record_high.html?cid=32083766 |title=Bahnhofstrasse rents at record high |publisher=swissinfo.ch |date=2012-02-07}} In 2016, the street ranked ninth.{{cite web|url=http://www.cushmanwakefield.com/en/news/2016/11/new-yorks-upper-5th-av-remains-worlds-most-expensive-retail-street/|title=New York's Upper 5th Av remains world's most expensive retail street|website=www.cushmanwakefield.com}}

History

File:Rennwegtor.jpg 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 {{lang|de|Fröschengraben}} ({{lit|Ditch of the Frogs}}), which then was changed to {{lang|de|Bahnhofstrasse}}.

Layout

At its northern end, {{lang|de|Bahnhofstrasse}} starts at {{lang|de|Bahnhofplatz}} ({{lit|Railway Station Square}}) in front of the station building of Zürich Hauptbahnhof, the city's main railway station ({{coord|47|22|40|N|8|32|25|E|region:CH-ZH_type:railwaystation|name=Zürich Hauptbahnhof}}), and fountain with the statue of Alfred Escher. Running in a mostly southernly direction, it passes the {{lang|de|Pestalozziwiese}} (named after Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi), Rennweg, Augustinergasse and Paradeplatz, before it ends after {{cvt|1.4|km}} at Bürkliplatz ({{coord|47.3671|N|8.5409|E|name=Bürkliplatz}}) on the northern shore of Lake Zurich.{{cite web |url=https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-ch/experiences/bahnhofstrasse/ |title=Bahnhofstrasse |publisher=myswitzerland.com |access-date=2025-03-29}}

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

Aside from the many shops (see below), there are also several restaurants and hotels,{{cite web |url=https://bahnhofstrasse-zuerich.ch/en/members-category/eatdrinksleep/ |publisher=bahnhofstrasse-zuerich.ch |title=Eat, Drink & Sleep |access-date=2025-03-30}} the Beyer Watch and Clock Museum and the Urania public observatory (the latter is located in Uraniastrasse but very close to Bahnhofstrasse).

=Shops=

Some of the many shops{{cite web |url=https://bahnhofstrasse-zuerich.ch/en/members-category/shopexplore/ |publisher=bahnhofstrasse-zuerich.ch |title=Shop & Explore |access-date=2025-03-29}} along Bahnhofstrasse include:

Transport

File:Bahnhofstrasse - Uraniastrasse - Beatengasse 2010-08-27 19-07-46 ShiftN.jpg

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 {{ric|Trams in Zürich|6}}, {{ric|Trams in Zürich|7}}, {{ric|Trams in Zürich|11}}, {{ric|Trams in Zürich|13}} and {{ric|Trams in Zürich|17}}
South of {{lang|de|Paradeplatz}}, it carries lines {{ric|Trams in Zürich|2}}, {{ric|Trams in Zürich|8}}, {{ric|Trams in Zürich|9}} and {{ric|Trams in Zürich|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, but there are nearby parking facilities. Bahnhofstrasse can also be easily reached from the Airport.{{cite web |url=https://bahnhofstrasse-zuerich.ch/en/visitbahnhofstrasse/ |title=Zürcher Bahnhofstrasse |publisher=bahnhofstrasse-zuerich.ch |access-date=2025-03-29}}

References

External links

[https://web.archive.org/web/20111211173854/http://www.bahnhofstrasse-zuerich.ch/cms/front_content.php?idcat=35 Official website]
[https://www.schweizfotos.ch/z%C3%BCrich/z%C3%BCrich-stadt/bahnhofstrasse/ Photographs of the Bahnhofstrasse]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20070430131247/http://www.smagoo.ch/zurich Guide with shops on Bahnhofstrasse]
[http://www.eLocations.com Location development in Zurich and Bahnhofstrasse]

Category:Streets in Zurich

Category:Shopping districts and streets in Switzerland

Category:Odonyms referring to a building