Whether you're an avid fan of literature or just looking for things to see in Zurich, Switzerland, stop by James Joyce's grave in the city where he spent the last half of his life. Located near the Zurich Zoo, the cemetery in which Joyce is buried is an easy tram ride from the city. The grave is easily recognizable with a statue of Joyce reading beside it.
Take the number six tram from any point in the city to its terminus. The terminus of tram six is also the Zurich Zoo, so it's fairly hard to miss.
Look for Fluntern Cemetery, which is located immediately at the terminus. The zoo is down the road a bit, but the cemetery will be visible as soon as you get off the tram.
Enter the cemetery through the main gate. Daily open hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in March, April, September and October, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. May through August and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from November through February.
Proceed straight ahead into the cemetery along the path, looking for a small sign for Joyce's grave. The sign will also indicate the direction toward Elias Canetti, the cemetery's other celebrity, a Nobel prize winning author.
Look for the hedged area with Joyce's grave, as well as that of his wife, Nora, son, Gorgio, and Gorgio's second wife. The grave, itself, is a flat slab on the ground without a raised marker, but there is a prominent statue of Joyce seated with a book to indicate the site.
Stay for a while, and, maybe, join Joyce for some quiet time with a book.
