Zürich Rose Fountains with Map (2025)

In the week leading up to Easter, the Reformierte Kirche church in Zürich fills several fountains full of roses. Their motto is “Ohne Dornen kein Rosen”, that is “without thorns, no roses,” giving hope in a world full of difficult times.

The Zurich fountains will be filled with roses from Sat 12 April to Mon 21 April 2025.

When to visit the fountains

The Zurich churches typically fill the fountains with roses one week before Easter and leave them until Easter Monday. If possible, it’s best to visit on a weekday, early in the day to avoid crowds and get the best pics.

The fountains are usually filled Saturday morning one week before Easter, but no guarantee of exactly what time they will be ready. Sometimes you can get an update on www.zhkath.ch

Rose Fountain Locations

Here are the typical rose fountain locations. It has been different every year, so I will verify the locations and update this list as soon as the fountains are filled.

1. Münsterhof at Fraumünster

This large fountain is in the square in front of the Fraumünster cathedral. You can go inside the cathedral to admire the famous Chagall stained glass windows.  

See on Münsterfhof fountain on a map.

On this same square, you can get delicious coffee at ViCafe, pastries at St. Jakob Beck, apero at Caffè & Bar Belpaese, and specialty chocolate at Jacot Haute Chocolaterie. 

If you want less people in your picture, you need to go very early, before 8am.

2. Helmhaus at Wasserkirche

This little fountain is hidden in the covered arcade of the Wasserkirche building. This is often the quietest fountain because people don’t see it as they walk by. It has lovely light in the late afternoon. 

See the Helmhaus fountain on a map.

3. Zähringerplatz at Predigerkirche

This fountain is next to the Predigerkirche church. See Zähnringerplatz fountain on a map. There is a lot of construction in this area, so watch your step as you make your way through the Niederdorf streets.

As you walk down the Niederdorf streets, stop at Schwarzenbach for specialty chocolate bars and Café & Conditorei 1842 for hot chocolate and pastries.

4. Münzplatz at the Augustinerkirche

This popular fountain is on Augustinerstrasse, perhaps the most photographed street in Zürich. It’s right next to a flower shop that often fills this fountain with flowers at other times during the year. See Münzplatz on a map.

For food, try Cafe Augustin, just a few steps further down the lane.

From past years

These fountains have had roses in previous years, but in the last couple years.

Amazonenbrunnen on Rennweg / Münzplatz

Walk back west and cross the Limmat river again and wander through the old town to the Rennweg shopping street. Right next to the fountain is Walter Buchmann bakery (see on map), where you can get a traditional Osterkuchen (Easter cake). 

See Amazonen fountain on a map.

Zwingliplatz

In years past, they filled the Zwingliplatz fountain behind the Grossmünster cathedral. But they didn’t in 2023 or 2024.

See Zwingliplatz fountain on a map.

Church presentations

The churches typically have Easter-related presentations at different fountains on certain days between 15:00 and 17:00. In previous years, they did a short program then gave away flowers on these days. I’ll update these schedule for 2024 as soon as it is released.

• Monday | Zwingliplatz near Grossmünster
• Tuesday | Münsterhof near Fraumünster
• Wednesday | On the Rennweg, crossing Strehlgasse
• Thursday | Zähringerplatz near the Preacher Church

How to get there

By public transport

The best place to start this walk is Paradeplatz. So from either Zürich HB or Stadelhofen train stations, take a tram to the Paradeplatz tram stop (tram 2, 8, 9, 11). Then walk directly east one block to the Münsterhof.

By car

The most convenient parking is at the Opernhaus (Schillerstrasse 5, 8001 Zürich). Then walk north along the Limmat to the Wasserkirche and start with Helmhaus fountain. If that lot is full, try Hohe Promendade (Rämistrasse 22A, 8001 Zürich).

Map of rose fountain locations

Here is a map of the fountains. The map also includes nearby chocolate shops, cafes, coffee shops, and bakeries. See a suggested walking route on Komoot.