Swiss National Museum, Zürich
The Swiss National Museum (Schweizerisches Landesmuseum) in Zürich is a massive and important museum that provides an epic survey of the culture and history of the Swiss people.
What to See
The museum's collection is housed in a 19th-century Neo-Gothic castle next to the train station.
The collection includes a vast amount of religious art, including 16th-century stained glass from Tanikon Convent and frescoes from the Convent Church of Mustair. Some of the Carolingian art dates from the 9th century. The altarpieces are carved, painted, and gilded.
The prehistoric section is also exceptional, with some of the artifacts dating from the 4th millennium BC.
The rest of the collection includes a large display of Roman clothing, medieval silverware, 14th-century drinking bowls, and 17th-century china, as well as painted furniture, costumes, and dollhouses of various periods. A display of weapons and armor shows the methods of Swiss warfare from 800 to 1800. There's also an exhibit tracing Swiss clockmaking from the 16th to the 18th centuries.
Special exhibitions are presented twice annually, lasting between 3 and 6 months. Themes are always different; a recent one was devoted to Swiss fashion design.
Quick Facts
| Names: | Swiss National Museum; Schweizerisches Landesmuseum |
| Address: | Museumstrasse 2, Zürich, Switzerland |
| Phone: | 01/218-65-11 |
| Tram: | 3, 4, 5, 11, 13, or 14 |
| Hours: | Tues-Sun 10:30am-5pm |
| Cost: | 5F adults, 3F students and seniors, special exhibitions 8F-12F |
Location Map
Below is a location map and aerial view of the Swiss National Museum. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our Zurich Map or get our free Google Earth download.
- Personal visit (exterior only; December 2006).
- Rick Steves' Switzerland
- Frommer's Switzerland
- The Rough Guide to Switzerland
