Museum

Swiss National Museum

Swiss National MuseumMatt Joseph · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
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The Swiss National Museum (Landesmuseum) is a premier cultural history museum located in a stunning neo-Gothic building that resembles a fairy-tale castle. Situated near Zurich's Hauptbahnhof, the museum offers a comprehensive journey through Swiss history from prehistoric times to the present day. Its vast collections include archaeological artifacts, medieval art, folk costumes, and everyday objects. Highlights include the original stained-glass windows from the Fraumünster, the armory with medieval weapons, and the interactive exhibitions on Swiss identity. The museum's architecture is itself a highlight, with turrets, courtyards, and a modern extension. Visitors can easily spend several hours exploring the themed galleries, which are well-curated and family-friendly. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions on diverse topics.

Don't miss

  • The permanent exhibition 'Swiss History' spanning 100,000 years
  • The medieval stained-glass windows from various Swiss churches
  • The armory with suits of armor and weapons
  • The folk art and traditional costume collection
  • The modern extension with temporary exhibitions

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Ways to visit Swiss National Museum

You can visit Swiss National Museum on your own. A guide mainly adds context, what you are looking at and why it matters, and a tour can add transport or combine nearby sights into one day.

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