Charlemagne Statue in Grossmunster Crypts

Zurich hosts a number of amazing architectural and natural sites. Because of the Swiss neutrality in world wars, many of the early medieval structures survive in great condition. Grossmunster is one of the churches that defines the skyline in Zurich, and it is topped by a (replica) statue of Charlemagne that overlooks the city. 

Legend claims Charlemagne's horse stumbled at the burial site of martyred saints in Zurich. Then a Carolingian church was established at the spot, and over the years was built into the Grossmunster. Charlemagne reigned hundreds of years before the first church was built, but the legend grew and the original statue of Charlemagne was created in the 1400s, perched atop the church to overlook Zurich. 

In the 1930s the original statue of Charlemagne was moved down to the crypts and the current replica was put in place. The original sits in the crypts section of the church, dating back to the 1100s.  It is just a wonderful cross section of history and art, to view the original statue of Charlemagne so closely.  It is so large, and designed to be seen from street level. Yet, today, you see the craftmanship in detail, and it is wonderful.