Zünfte of Zürich
There are fourteen historical
Zünfte (
guilds, singular
Zunft) of
Zürich, established in
1336 with the "guild revolution" of
Rudolf Brun (continuing the 13 guilds predating 1336, plus the
Gesellschaft zur Constaffel consisting of the nobles). There have been two mergers of historical guilds since, so that there are 12 contemporary
Zünfte continuing the medieval guilds:
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Gesellschaft zur Constaffel, originally members of the nobility
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Zunft zur Saffran, originally merchants of textiles and spices
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Zunft zur Meisen, originally wine merchants, saddle makers and painters
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Zunft zur Schmieden, originally blacksmiths, silver- and goldsmiths, clockmakers and physicians
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Zunft zum Weggen originally bakers and millers
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Vereinigte Zünfte zur Gerwe und zur Schuhmachern, formerly two guilds, tanners and shoemakers, united in 1877
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Zunft zum Widder, originally butchers and cattle merchants
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Zunft zur Zimmerleuten, originally carpenters, builders, wainmakers
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Zunft zur Schneidern, originally tailors
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Zunft zur Schiffleuten, originally fishermen and boatmen
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Zunft zum Kämbel, originally food dealers
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Zunft zur Waag, originally two separate guilds, linen weavers and wool weavers, united in 1440 (wool and linen weavers, hatters and linen merchants).
In the 19th century, with the expansion of Zürich, incorporating various formerly separate villages, new a number of new "guilds" were established to represent these. At this time, the old guilds had ceased to be tied to specific trades and had acquired a mostly folkloristic and societal function, uniting the upper strata of old and well-to-do clans of Zürich.
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Stadtzunft, established 1867
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Zunft Riesbach, established 1887
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Zunft Fluntern, established 1895
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Zunft zu den Drei Königen (Zürich Enge), established 1897
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Zunft Hottingen, established 1897
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Zunft zu Wiedikon, established 1897
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Zunft Wollishofen, established 1900
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Zunft Hard, established 1922
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Zunft Oberstrass, established 1925
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Zunft St. Niklaus (Zürich Affoltern, Oerlikon and Seebach), established 1933
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Zunft Höngg, established 1934
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Zunft zur Letzi, established 1934
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Zunft Schwamendingen, established 1975
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Zunft Witikon, established 1980
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Sechseläuten*
History of Zürich
