Bahnhofstrasse

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 (literal translation"}]],"parts":[{"template":{"target":{"wt":"lit","href":"./Template:Lit"},"params":{"1":{"wt":"Ditch of the Frogs"}},"i":0}}]}">lit. 'Ditch of the Frogs'), which then was changed to Bahnhofstrasse.

At its northern end, Bahnhofstrasse starts at Bahnhofplatz (literal translation"}]],"parts":[{"template":{"target":{"wt":"lit","href":"./Template:Lit"},"params":{"1":{"wt":"Railway Station Square"}},"i":0}}]}">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), 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 (47.3671°N 8.5409°E / 47.3671; 8.5409 (Bürkliplatz)) on the northern shore of Lake Zurich.^[3]

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.

Aside from the many shops (see below), there are also several restaurants and hotels,^[4] the Beyer Watch and Clock Museum and the Urania public observatory (the latter is located in Uraniastrasse but very close to Bahnhofstrasse).

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, but there are nearby parking facilities. Bahnhofstrasse can also be easily reached from the Airport.^[6]

• History of Zurich
• Tourism in Switzerland