Zunfthaus zur Saffran

Zunfthaus zur Saffran at the Limmatquai promenade, siuated between Münsterbrücke and Rathausbrücke, is the guild house of the Zunft zur Saffran, meaning the guild of the spice traders. It is one of the historically valuable buildings in Zürich, Switzerland, and houses also the relatively expensive restaurant of the same name.

History

The guild house of the Saffran guild was first mentioned in 1417 AD. Between 1719 and 1723 the present building was erected as a representative construction at the site of five former houses. Situated on the Limmat river's right hand (downstram) shore in the today's Rathaus quarter, it still stands in the immediate neighborhood of the Grossmünster church, the Rathaus Zürich and the Haus zum Rüden, being then the most important buildings in Zürich. Typical architectural features for that era are the layout of the facade with cornices and columns, but also the internal decorations and linings of the rooms that have been preserved despite several renovations and conversions.^[1] In the mid-19th-century the building was also used as an improvised post station.^[2] By the last renovation in 1995, the whole infrastructure was adjusted to today's societal needs. The big guild hall on the first floor, the small guild hall and the White Rose hall on the second floor welcome guests and are available for events.^[1]

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  as seen from Gmüesbrugg

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  Saffran and Zunfthaus zur Haue as seen from Limmatquai

Cultural heritage

The building is listed in the Swiss inventory of cultural property of national and regional significance as a Class A object.^[3]

Literature

• Markus Brühlmeier, Beat Frei: Das Zürcher Zunftwesen. Verlag Neue Zürcher Zeitung, Zürich 2005. ISBN 3-03823-171-1.

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Zunfthaus zur Saffran.

• Official website (German)