Swiss National Museum Zurich, National museum and cultural property in central Zurich, Switzerland
The Swiss National Museum Zurich is a large cultural building set between the Sihl and Limmat rivers with multiple towers and interior courtyards. The structure combines Renaissance château-style architecture and includes an Armoury section and coin collection.
The building opened in 1898 following designs by architect Gustav Gull and was created to make Swiss history accessible to the public. The collection grew from the start and received early films from François-Henri Lavanchy-Clarke, a pioneer in cinema.
The collections show what mattered to Swiss people across centuries and how they expressed their beliefs through art. Religious wooden sculptures and gothic artworks reveal the spiritual life that shaped communities throughout the country.
The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, with extended hours on Thursdays. Visitors should plan time to explore the different sections, as the building contains multiple areas with varying collection focuses.
The museum holds over 870,000 objects organized into 14 distinct categories, functioning like a vast visual record of Switzerland. This systematic arrangement allows visitors to gain deep insights into numerous aspects of life, from craftsmanship to everyday items.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
