Bahnhofstrasse

Bahnhofstrasse is Zürich's main downtown street and one of the world's most expensive and exclusive shopping avenues. In 2011, a study named the "Bahnhofstrasse" the most expensive street for retail property in Europe, and the third most expensive worldwide. In 2016 ranked ninth.
 It came into existence when the city fortifications were demolished in 1864 and the ditch in front of the walls was filled in. Until that time, the name of the location had been "Fröschengraben" ("Ditch Of The Frogs"), which then was changed to "Bahnhofstrasse" ("Railway Station Street").
Bahnhofstrasse starts at "Bahnhofplatz" ("Station Square") in front of the Zürich Hauptbahnhof (), passing "Rennweg, Augustinergasse" and "Paradeplatz" before it ends after 1.4 km at "Bürkliplatz" () on Lake Zürich (National Bank), (Hotel Baur au Lac).
The street is largely pedestrianised, but is also an important link in the Zürich tram network. North of "Paradeplatz" the street carries routes 6, 7, 11 and 13, whilst to the south it carries 2, 8, 9 and 11. Stops are served at "Hauptbahnhof", "Rennweg", "Paradeplatz", "Börsenstrasse" and "Bürkliplatz".
Some of the many shops include:
"Paradeplatz", one of the most famous squares in Switzerland, is situated towards the end of the "Bahnhofstrasse" closest to Lake Zürich. The two biggest Swiss banks, UBS and the Credit Suisse Group, have their headquarters there. "Paradeplatz" is also known for its chocolate shop and cafe, Confiserie Sprüngli.