The Grossmünster church is a Romanesque-style Protestant church dating back to the 12th century. The twin towers of the Grossmünster are considered two of Zürich’s most recognized landmarks. Construction began around 1100 and the church was inaugurated around 1220. According to legend, the Grossmünster was founded by Charlemagne, whose horse fell to its knees over the tombs of Felix and Regula, Zürich’s two patron saints. Charlemagne thus had a church built as a monastery on the spot.
This long exposure shot (~2 min) of the church looks across the Münsterbrücke, a pedestrian and road bridge dating back to 1836 which spans the Limmat river.
Finally! Like any self-respecting photographer (not) worth their weight in salt, I am about a year behind in posting my photographs. Today, however, marks a special day for me. I have finally caught up to the point where I post my FIRST PHOTO from my new camera (new Xmas 2016), a Sony A7R II. Today I officially retire postings from my Nikon D90 camera, a 12.3 MP camera that was my first DSLR camera, a trusty travel companion throughout Europe for the last 7 years, and a wonderful introduction into the world of digital imaging.
This is a shot taken last winter on the Glarnerweisweg, one of the many wanderwegs (trails) immediately behind my home. The Swiss are passionate about the outdoors and take their hiking seriously. Not only are there more than 62,400 km (38,800 mi) of marked hiking trails in this small country (roughly the size of West Virginia), but it seems that no matter where you are in any Swiss city or suburb, you are ALWAYS only a stones throw away from beautiful trails and open space.
The Zurich Transit Maritime Art installation “Hafenkran” (harbour crane), was a 90 ton rusting crane which operated for more the 50 years in the port of Rostock in northern Germany, was installed from 2014-2015 on the banks of the river Limmat in Zurich. Its purpose was to “bring a feeling of the sea – and a sense of freedom – to landlocked Zurich”. Is (was) it art? Still being debated.
Oldest, originally preserved wine tavern in Zürich.
The original building was built in 1357 as a patrician house (noble medieval citizen), and didn’t see commercial activity until the 17th century, when a bakery was built. Various families operated bakeries there until 1801, when baker Hans Kaspar Denzl got a pub-license and added this wine tavern.
The tavern soon became a hotspot for intellectuals, poets, craftsmen, city officials, artists, and students to meet and discuss politics and religion during all night wine-fueled animated debates. This was once a haunt of Gottfried Keller, a 19th-century novelist and poet and one of Zurich’s most famous names.
House rules state that if you are able to climb into the rafters, span two rafters, and, while hanging upside down, can drink a glass of wine without spilling a drop, then you too may carve your initials into the rafters. I haven’t tried (yet).
I have been playing around recently with motion and lights, and what better time to experiment with lights than during the holiday season? This image was taken on Bahnhoffstrasse in Zurich. It is an HDR blend of two different images, each of which captured one of the trams. I merged the two and created the HDR with Photomatix. Slight color changes were made with Aperture.
The advent of cold weather in Switzerland brings with it the numerous Hesse Marroni vendors. These delicious fire-roasted chestnuts are a favorite of my families, and it is always a sad day when Spring rolls around and the vendors close up shop for the season. But don’t get me wrong, I am ready for Spring!
Lonesome mist at dusk
Der Phadiweg
Oldest, originally preserved wine tavern in Zürich.
Lightbox3D 