Hans Waldmann (1435 – 1489) – Military Commander and Mayor of Zurich

Hans Waldmann achieved fame as a military commander when he and the Swiss Confederates soundly defeated Charles the Bold in the Burgundian Wars. He improved Zurich’s image and was knighted by the nobles of the city.

As a representative of the tradespeople, Waldmann was elected as mayor of Zurich in 1480 and strengthened the position of the guilds. His political goals, the dependence of the Swiss Confederation on the German empire and Duchy of Milan instead of France, made him enemies. He fell victim to an intrigue that would cause his downfall and he was held in the Wellenberg Tower until his execution.

Hermann Haller created the bronze statue that stands on the Münsterbrücke bridge between the Fraumünster and Grossmünster churches.