A pictorial tour of Zurich

“Zürcher Landschaften” by various authors, Zurich 2016, call number: 2016 B 12728

December 2016. Woodlands, lakes, rivers, Alpine foothills and more unexpected landscapes: “Zürcher Landschaften” is a tour through the natural and cultural landscapes of the canton of Zurich, some better known than others, with fascinating texts accompanied by remarkable photographs. More illustrated books on the city and canton of Zurich can be found in the Zurich Bibliography.

Spot the hidden objects in Zurich

“Mein Kinderspital Zürich” by Andreas Ganther, Cologne 2016, call number: Jug Z d 14261 | G

November 2016. The hidden object book “Mein Kinderspital Zürich” is a fun way for children and their parents to learn about day-to-day life in Zurich’s children’s hospital and cheer up a stay on a ward. But the hidden objects in Zurich are actually located all over the city.

Crime scene Zurich

“Kleiner Mord zwischendurch” by Mitra Devi, Zurich 2016, call number: 2016 A 19135

October 2016. The latest short crime stories by Mitra Devi are an exciting read to make time fly. A selection of the latest Zurich crime literature is available in the Turicensia Lounge. More stories with Zurich as a murder scene can be found in the Zurich Bibliography.

711 facts about Zurich

“Unnützes Wissen Zürich” by Hartmut Ronge, Cologne 2016, call number: 2016 A 24258

November 2016. Quirky, exciting, baffling: this collection of “useless” information by Hartmut Ronge presents Zurich in a whole new light. “Unnützes Wissen Zürich” and other literature about the city of Zurich can be found in the Zurich Bibliography.

Platzspitz: common land, shooting range, public park

“Platzspitz: Insel im Strom der Zeit” by Adi Kälin, Zurich 2016, call number: DA 74775

September 2016. “Platzspitz – Insel im Strom der Zeit” by Grün Stadt Zürich presents the multifaceted history of an emblematic Zurich location; one that, since the notorious “Needle Park” was cleared in 1992, has once again become a pleasant and popular place of recreation. This book and more literature about Platzspitz can be found in the Zurich Bibliography.

Conrad Gessner 1516–2016

Two new publications on Conrad Gessner, call numbers: 2016 B 10774 and 2016 B 10775

August 2016. The polymath Conrad Gessner was Zurich’s city physician, founder of modern descriptive zoology, and author of botanical studies based on his own observations of nature. Among his most important works are the “Historia animalium” and “Bibliotheca universalis”. Literature about Conrad Gessner can be found in the Zurich Bibliography.

Finding Greifensee’s best liar

“Der Landvogt und die frächen Lügner: Kartenspiel aus Greifensee” by Frank Bebenroth, Anika Rosen and Peter Götsch, Uster 2015, call number: PAT 6223 | G

February 2016. “Der Landvogt und die frächen Lügner” is a fun and exciting card game set around the Greifensee at the time of Salomon Landolt (1741–1818). Suitable for players aged 7 and over, this 66-card game makes for an entertaining quarter of an hour for each round. For more on the Greifensee see the Zurich Bibliography.

The city beneath the city

Underground Zurich also includes the stacks of the Zentralbibliothek, which are home to both books and paintings (image: Marc Valance and Michael T. Ganz)

January 2016. “Zürich Untergrund” reveals a side of Zurich that many associate merely with drains and pipelines. In fact, there is more than water and electricity flowing beneath the city’s streets: here you will also find precious artworks, bank strongrooms and military secrets. For more about Zurich above and below ground see the Zurich Bibliography.

More