Paradeplatz

Paradeplatz is the symbolic epicenter of Swiss banking, where UBS and the former Credit Suisse headquarters face each other across a modest cobbled square. In the 18th century the site functioned as a livestock market; it was renamed in the 19th century when it served as a military parade ground for the city garrison. Historical research — gaining public attention in Zürich from the 2020s onward — has traced significant capital of the founding banking families on this square to the Atlantic slave trade, a reckoning the city is still processing. Today nearly every tram line in the network passes through Paradeplatz, and Confiserie Sprüngli has sold Luxemburgerli and chocolate from its corner premises since 1859 — an only-in-Zürich juxtaposition of global finance and pastry.

UBS, Credit Suisse's successor and Sprüngli — Switzerland's most expensive address, the Bahnhofstrasse tram hub.