Grossmünster, Zürich, Switzerland

Grossmünster is a Protestant Cathedral located in the historical center of Zürich, Switzerland, which played an important role in Roman Catholic Church as well. According to the legend the Grossmünster was founded by Charlemagne on the spot where his horse fell to its knees over the tombs of the patron saints of Zürich: Felix and Regula and their servant Exuperantius. Grossmünster is dedicated to the patron saints of Zürich, Felix, Regula and Exuperantius whose relics are claimed to be in the cathedral.

The construction of the present Romanesque cathedral began in 1100 and was practically completed in 1230, while the two towers were added between 1487 and 1492 and were destroyed in a fire in 1763. The present Neo-Gothic towers were erected between 1781 and 1787. The exterior of the Grossmünster was completely restored between 1931 and 1936.

Grossmünster became a parish church of Huldrych Zwingli in 1519 who became one of the greatest leaders of the Reformation. As a priest in the Grossmünster Zwingli called for reformation of the Roman Catholic Church, preached against the celibacy, denounced the sacrament of the Mass and attacked the "worship of images". Zwingli ordered the removal of the altar paintings and church treasures from the Grossmünster in 1524. Zwingli was killed in a battle against the Roman Catholic cantons at Kappel am Albis in 1531 but the Reformation swept across Switzerland and Grossmünster became considered as the birthplace of the Swiss-German reformation.

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