Neumarkt and Zunfthaus zum Kämbel

Why is it significant?

Stroll down the gentle slope of the Neumarkt, widely regarded as one of the most intact and peaceful medieval streetscapes in Zurich.

Key Facts

Open the walk

Stroll down the gentle slope of the Neumarkt, widely regarded as one of the most intact and peaceful medieval streetscapes in Zurich. Laid out in the twelfth century as a planned eastward extension of the city, the Neumarkt has preserved its refined bourgeois residential character over eight centuries. Tall, narrow patrician houses with pointed Gothic windows and Baroque doorways line the quiet lane.

At Neumarkt number five stands the historic Zunfthaus zum Kämbel. The Kämbel guild originally united retail merchants, vegetable sellers, and wine traders. Its exotic emblem is a camel, inspired by medieval pilgrimages and trading journeys undertaken by Zurich merchants to the Levant. During the annual Sechseläuten procession, the guild famously parades with a live camel through the streets.

Across the street, the intimate Theater Neumarkt has been a bastion of provocative contemporary theater and political discourse since the 1960s. Further down the lane lived celebrated Swiss novelist Gottfried Keller, who drew on this neighborhood's everyday dramas to write his famous novellas. The beautifully preserved facades and historic stonework continue to captivate architecture enthusiasts and everyday wanderers alike. A careful stroll through these evocative lanes reveals how masterfully the city of Zurich has protected its rich urban heritage across centuries.

Hidden behind the street facades lie secluded courtyard gardens and quiet stone wells. Secondhand bookshops, violin makers' studios, and boutique craft shops give the Neumarkt a thoughtful, intellectual ambiance that encourages leisurely exploration. Generations of proud local residents have shaped this remarkable landmark, passing its timeless stories down to present-day travelers. Throughout the surrounding neighborhoods, visitors can clearly sense the harmonious blend of historic tradition and cosmopolitan energy. Visitors from around the globe admire the authentic historic atmosphere and cultural significance of this beloved Zurich landmark. Visitors from around the globe admire the authentic historic atmosphere and cultural significance of this beloved Zurich landmark.

Turn left into Predigergasse and emerge before the soaring spire of the Predigerkirche on Zähringerplatz.