Winterthur (French Winterthour, Latin Vitudurum, colloquially known as Winti) is the sixth largest city in Switzerland and the second largest in the canton of Zurich, with a population of around 115,500. As a political municipality, the city is also the capital of the district of the same name. Winterthur used to be an important industrial city and is now known as a service, educational, cultural and leisure centre with 16 museums. Winterthur railway station handles the fifth highest passenger frequency in Switzerland; Zurich Airport is located 15 kilometres to the southwest.
General information
Winterthur is located in north-eastern Switzerland on the Eulach river and is often referred to as the gateway to eastern Switzerland. Despite its proximity to Zurich, which lies 20 kilometres to the south, Winterthur and the surrounding municipalities form a separate agglomeration with more than 114,000 inhabitants (as of 2019). The city area, which lies in the shape of a spider between seven wooded hills, is surrounded by the Töss river in the south. The upper Töss valley, popular as a recreational area, stretches towards the south-east, while towards the north it is bordered by the Zürcher Weinland (Zurich wine country), which is still heavily agricultural in parts.
Winterthur was granted city rights by the Habsburgs in 1264, but the Counts of Kyburg were the actual founders of the city. Today the city is oriented towards the service sector.
As of 31 December 2020, 116,404 inhabitants lived in Winterthur.
Source: Wikipedia.org / Google