Zunfthaus Zur Saffran (the
guild house
A guildhall, also known as a "guild hall" or "guild house", is a historical building originally used for tax collecting by municipalities or merchants in Great Britain and the Low Countries. These buildings commonly become town halls and in som ...
of the spice traders; ''Saffran'' means saffron) is a historically significant building in
Zürich
Zürich () is the list of cities in Switzerland, largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zürich. It is located in north-central Switzerland, at the northwestern tip of Lake Zürich. As of January 2020, the municipality has 43 ...
,
Switzerland
). Swiss law does not designate a ''capital'' as such, but the federal parliament and government are installed in Bern, while other federal institutions, such as the federal courts, are in other cities (Bellinzona, Lausanne, Luzern, Neuchâtel ...
. It is located along the
Limmatquai
''Limmatquai'' is a street in the Swiss city of Zürich. It is named after the Limmat, and it follows the right-hand (eastern) bank of that river for about through the '' Altstadt'', or historical core, of the city. The street was once important ...
promenade between
Münsterbrücke and
Rathausbrücke. It is close to the
Kämbel,
Zimmerleuten and
Rüden guild houses. The building is listed in the
as a major object of regional importance''.
History
The
guild house
A guildhall, also known as a "guild hall" or "guild house", is a historical building originally used for tax collecting by municipalities or merchants in Great Britain and the Low Countries. These buildings commonly become town halls and in som ...
's earliest recorded history dates back to 1383, when 18 individuals bought a building on the land where it now stands.
Five buildings preceded the current building. Construction began on the current building between 1719 and 1723. The historical american
Van Leer family The Van Leer family, originally spelled Von Lohr, is an influential German-American family that emigrated to the Province of Pennsylvania in the 17th century from the Electorate of Hesse near Isenberg, Germany. The family made their fortune in the U ...
traces their roots to ancestors who were members of the Saffran guild.
The current building is situated on the
Limmat
The Limmat is a river in Switzerland. The river commences at the outfall of Lake Zurich, in the southern part of the city of Zurich. From Zurich it flows in a northwesterly direction, after 35 km reaching the river Aare. The confluenc ...
River’s right bank in the immediate neighborhood of the
Grossmünster
The Grossmünster (; "great minster") is a Romanesque-style Protestant church in Zürich, Switzerland. It is one of the four major churches in the city (the others being the Fraumünster, Predigerkirche and St. Peterskirche). Its congregation f ...
church, the
Rathaus, Zürich, and the
Haus Zum Rüden. The building exhibits typical architectural features from its era such as its facade, which includes cornices and columns.
In the mid-19th-century, the building was also used as an improvised post office.
The latest renovation was completed in 1995. The big guild hall on the first floor, the small guild hall, and the ''White Rose hall'' on the second floor are available for visiting.
The guild house is referenced in the book ''Das Zürcher Zunftwesen'' by Markus Brühlmeier and Beat Frei.
Currently, as of January 11, 2016, the building serves as a dinner hall and is open Sunday through Saturday from 7 A.M. to 12 P.M. local time.
Details
* Maximum Capacity: 250
* Distance to Zürich Main Station: 700 m
* Travel time from Zürich Main Station (public transport): 8 minutes
* Travel time from Zürich Airport (public transport): 25 minutes
*
Zunfthaus zur Saffran & Haue - Limmat - Wühre 2015-07-16 12-27-15.JPG, As seen from Wühre towards Limmatquai
''Limmatquai'' is a street in the Swiss city of Zürich. It is named after the Limmat, and it follows the right-hand (eastern) bank of that river for about through the '' Altstadt'', or historical core, of the city. The street was once important ...
Limmatquai - Zunfthaus zur Saffran - Rathaus 2015-01-10 14-54-20 (P7800).JPG, As seen from Gmüesbrugg
Limmatquai - Zunfthaus zur Saffran - Rathaus 2015-01-10 14-52-55 (P7800).JPG, Passageway
Zunfthaus zur Saffran 2010-10-23 18-13-36 ShiftN.jpg, Room view
2013 Sechseläuten - Gesellschaft zu Fraumünster - Saffran-Haue - Limmatquai 2013-04-15 15-05-55.JPG, Zunfthaus zur Saffran and Zunfthaus zur Haue
The Zunfthaus zur Haue or Haus zur Haue is situated at the Limmatquai promenade between Münsterbrücke and Rathausbrücke. It is the guild house of the Zunft zum Kämbel, meaning the guild of the merchants and traders. Neighbored by the Saffr ...
as seen from Limmatquai
''Limmatquai'' is a street in the Swiss city of Zürich. It is named after the Limmat, and it follows the right-hand (eastern) bank of that river for about through the '' Altstadt'', or historical core, of the city. The street was once important ...
References
External links
* {{in lang, de
Altstadt (Zürich)
Guild houses in Zürich
Cultural property of regional significance in the canton of Zürich
Restaurants in Zürich
Buildings and structures completed in 1732