Schweizer Heimatwerk, Zurich

Building on the tradition of superior watchmaking skills, Switzerland is also famous for their intricately made music boxes. The first music box factories were opened in Switzerland in the early 19th century and at one time the industry surpassed that of watchmaking.

Today, Swiss music boxes still feature the same function, playing songs like 鈥淓delweiss鈥� and the 鈥淗appy Wanderer鈥� via metal cylinders and pins. High-end music boxes allow cylinders to be changed in order to play many different songs. The classic style of Swiss music boxes has not changed from its day of invention, but today a much larger selection is available. Boxes are available with hand painted scenes of olden day hikers and shepherds, or come fashioned as wooden Swiss chalets with detailed carving of flowers and water troughs.

More contemporary designs are also available: a transparent box that allows the incredible inner-workers be seen, or the 鈥淩olls Royce鈥� of music boxes, a large polished inlaid wooden box with changeable rules, sold for 10,000 francs. Schweizer Heimatwerk has the best selection of wooden handmade music boxes, priced from 100 francs to the 10,000-franc art piece.

What to buy here: Swiss Music boxes

Image Courtesy of Jessica L. Reid.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Zurich. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Schweizer Heimatwerk
Sight Location: Zurich, Switzerland (See walking tours in Zurich)
Sight Type: Shopping
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Zurich Souvenir Shopping

Walking Tours in Zurich, Switzerland

Create Your Own Walk in Zurich

Creating your own self-guided walk in Zurich is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Old Town Walk

The Old Town, or Altstadt (in German), is the historic heart of Zurich which beats on both sides of the Limmat River that runs through it. "Zurich is a city, but Altstadt is a village" 鈥� this saying reflects the charming, small-town feel of Old Town Zurich, which stands in contrast to the more modern and cosmopolitan areas of the city.

Bordered by the Bahnhofstrasse, a bustling... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles

Zurich Introduction Walking Tour

Walking around Zurich is a walk through history. The city was first officially settled by the Romans in 15 BC, who called it Turicum. But there were earlier inhabitants鈥揺vidence has been found of settlement that dates back more than six millennia. One of the oldest parts of town is Lindenhof Square, an elevated hill that was one of the earliest sites.

Today Zurich is the largest city in... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles

Zurich Souvenir Shopping

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A popular saying goes, "When in Zurich, shop on Bahnhofstrasse." True, in terms of souvenir shopping, this thoroughfare is second to none. Another saying is that 鈥淲hen in Switzerland, buy Swiss-made products.鈥�

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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles

Zurich's Historical Churches Tour

The history of Christianity in Zurich is duly reflected in the local churches, found here in abundance. Indeed, Christianity has been the dominant religion of Zurich for many centuries. And while, historically, the city was a center of the Protestant Reformation, today it is home to both Catholic and Protestant communities.

The Swiss Reformed Church is the largest Protestant denomination, but... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles

Zurich Gourmet Tour

Apart from its high-quality watches, Switzerland is famous for its unique delicacies. The secrets of their making have been preserved for centuries and passed on from father to son. In this respect, it is not at all surprising that a global banking and financial center such as Zurich can be also a haven for food enthusiasts seeking gourmet delights. On this self-guided walk, we invite you to... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip

16 Distinctively Swiss Things to Buy in Zurich

Zurich is Switzerland鈥檚 largest city, and although it may feel like a bustling metropolis, the tranquil essence of the Alps flows fervently through the lively cobblestone streets, the buzzing train station, and the frenzied designer boutiques. Most shops in downtown Zurich open at 9 am and close...

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