The Altstadt's medieval heart is Schipfe, a former fishing quarter on the banks of the Limmat River which takes its name from the nautical term schupfen (push). Roam its picturesque cobbled lanes to find art workshops, boutiques and bohemian-style cafes.
The "Schipfe" is one of Zurich's oldest districts. During the Middle Ages, it was an important crossroads for merchants. In the 16th century it became the headquarters of the silk and boatbuilding industries.