This Swiss city houses the world's largest Henry Moore collection and has a calm old town. It's a cultural hub with galleries, museums, and a vibrant arts scene.
Winterthur, Switzerland's sixth-largest city, is home to 17 museums, including the Oskar Reinhart Collection and the interactive Swiss Science Center Technorama. The city's Old Town contains Switzerland's largest pedestrian zone, while its many parks and gardens have earned it the nickname "Garden City". Located just 20 minutes from Zurich, Winterthur serves as a starting point for visits to nearby sites like Kyburg Castle and the Rhine Falls.
Winterthur's Old Town
Winterthur's Old Town centers on Marktgasse, Switzerland's largest pedestrian zone. As you walk through the area, you'll see historic buildings alongside modern shops, cafes, and restaurants. The Stadtkirche, with its distinctive red-topped twin towers, stands out in the skyline. This church, rebuilt after a fire and expanded in the 15th century, is a central landmark of the Old Town.
Art Museums in Winterthur
Winterthur has several art museums. The Oskar Reinhart Collection "Am Römerholz" displays European art from the 14th to the 20th century. Another museum bearing Reinhart's name, located at the Stadtgarten, focuses on Swiss art from the 18th to the 20th century. The Kunst Museum Winterthur | Beim Stadthaus adds to these collections with a wide range of artistic styles, from Impressionism to contemporary art.
Swiss Science Center Technorama
The Swiss Science Center Technorama is one of Europe's largest science museums. It has hands-on exhibits and experiments that help visitors understand science and technology through personal experience. You can explore various scientific phenomena by interacting directly with the exhibits.
Parks and Gardens
Winterthur's "Garden City" nickname comes from its numerous green spaces. The Rosengarten (Rose Garden) is a calm environment with panoramic views of the city. For nature and animal lovers, the Wildpark Bruderhaus, one of Switzerland's oldest wildlife parks, is home to 11 different species of animals, including red deer and fallow deer.
Annual Events in Winterthur
Every November, Winterthur hosts Switzerland's principal short film festival. The event screens short films from both Swiss and international filmmakers. During the winter season, the Old Town hosts a Christmas market, where you can find traditional gifts, food, and warm drinks.
Getting to Winterthur
You can reach Winterthur from Zurich in about 20-25 minutes by train from Zurich's main station (Hauptbahnhof) and less than 15 minutes by direct train from Zurich Airport. The Swiss Travel Pass gives you unlimited travel on trains, buses, and boats throughout the country, making it simple to visit Winterthur and its surrounding areas.
Nearby Attractions
Just 3 km outside Winterthur's center, you'll find Kyburg Castle (Schloss Kyburg), Switzerland's oldest castle museum. The castle overlooks the Toss River and shows visitors aspects of medieval life. About 23 km north of Winterthur are the Rhine Falls, Europe's largest waterfall. During summer months, the falls see a flow of around 600,000 liters of water per second, creating an impressive natural sight.
