Murerplan


The Murerplan is a map of Zürich, printed in 1576 by Jos Murer.
It was combined from six pearwood plates measuring 45 cm squared each. A smaller extra plate was made for the Grossmünster, which would otherwise have been divided between four plates.
The original plates have not been preserved. The plates of a second edition of 1610 survive.

Description

The map is entitled
The plan is extremely detailed, showing the aspect of every house, and is a unique historical source for the condition of the city in the 16th century. Zürich had essentially preserved its medieval aspect until that time, and major expansions and city planning began only in the 17th century, with the addition of ramparts during the Thirty Years' War.
The plan looks east over the city, with the moat at the bottom of the plan corresponding to the present Bahnhofstrasse, with the Rennweg gate, the main entry to the city. The bottom left corner shows the confluence of the Sihl and Limmat rivers, the location of the present Zürich Hauptbahnhof.

Gallery