Michael Portillo’s ever-reliable Bradshaw’s guide leads him to Zurich this Wednesday on “Great Continental Railway Journeys.” While the Swiss city might conjure up images of banking and watches, Portillo’s visit unearths a different side of Zurich – one steeped in art, religion, and, surprisingly, chocolate.
The episode explores Zurich as a haven for artists during World War I, specifically focusing on the Dadaist movement’s influence. This avant-garde collective, known for its unconventional and often absurd artistic expressions, found fertile ground in neutral Switzerland. Portillo’s explorations extend to the religious landscape, visiting the Grossmunster Church, a landmark of the Swiss Reformation. He gets a close-up look at the 500-year-old Froschauer Bible, a key early German translation that also played a role in standardizing the language.
But it wouldn’t be a Portillo journey without a touch of the unexpected. In Zurich, that comes in the form of chocolate. Portillo discovers the “Bean to Bar” movement, a small-batch approach to chocolate making that’s gaining traction in Switzerland.
Tune in to BBC Two at 6:30 PM on Wednesday, March 26th to follow Portillo’s Swiss adventure.
