Oerlikon (Zurich)

Oerlikon is a quarter in the northern part of Zurich, Switzerland.

The formerly independent municipality Oerlikon was merged with Zurich in 1934 and forms today, together with Affoltern and Seebach, the city district 11.

History

The name Oerlikon goes back to the alemannic settlement founder Orilo. Oerlikon was mentioned for the first time in the year 946 (other source: 942) as Orlinchowa. At that time the town consisted of no more than one dozen houses and was part of the municipality Schwamendingen, where the inhabitants of Oerlikon went to school and attended church. 1855 a railway that connected southern Germany with Zurich was built. Thus, Oerlikon grew at a very fast pace and became a hub for industry and trade. In 1872 Oerlikon was separated from Schwamendingen and became its own municipality. In 1897 a tramway from Zurich to Oerlikon was built. Branch lines led also to Seebach and Schwamendingen.

Places of interest

South of the railway line the Oerlikon town center with the shopping centres Neumarkt and züri 11 shopping, the luxurious hotel Swissôtel and the market place are located. North of the station, a new quarter called (New Oerlikon) is being built. In the former industrial area new living and working area is created. This urban architecture is lightened up by generous parks. In the last years four new parks very outstanding in the professional world were built: The Oerliker Park with a look-out tower, the MFO-Park on the area of the earlier...
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