Murerplan

The Murerplan is a map of Zürich, printed in 1576 by Jos Murer (1530-1580), entitled

Der uralten wytbekannten Statt Zurych gestalt und gelaegenhait / wie sy zuo diser zyt in waesen / ufgerissen und in grund gelegt / durch Josen Murer / und durch Christoffel Froschaower / zuo Eeren dem Vatterland getruckt / Im M.D.LXXVI. Jar.

"The aspect and situation of the ancient and famous town of Zurich / as it has been at this time / drawn and etched / by Jos Murer / and by Christoph Froschauer / printed for the glory of the nation / AD 1576"

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. Zurich had essentially preserved its medieval (13th century) aspect until that time (except for the frequent replacement of earlier wooden buildings by stone houses), 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 (north to the left), 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 the Limmat rivers, the location of the present Zurich Main Station.