Swiss National Museum Zurich
Swiss National Museum Zurich, National museum and cultural property in central Zurich, Switzerland
Description
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.
History
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.
Culture
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.
Practical
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.
Did you know?
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.
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Zürich Hauptbahnhof
122 m
Sihlpost
383 m
Train station church
138 m
Lettenwehrsteg (Platzspitzwehr)
385 m
Bahnhofbrücke Zürich
337 m
Parkdeck Gessnerallee
369 m
Zollbrücke
143 m
Walche bridge
189 m
Tourist Service
165 m
Postbrücke
246 m
Seelöwenbrunnen
255 m
Alfred Escher memorial fountain
228 m
Drahtschmidlisteg
366 m
Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi memorial
403 m
Wilhelm-Baumgartner-Denkmal
173 m
Salomon-Gessner-Denkmal
194 m
Pilgrim Fountain
371 m
Springbrunnen Linthescherhof
329 m
Wirbel
343 m
Berlinerbrunnen
292 m
Flora
149 m
Züri-Brunnen
223 m
Schneider-Brunnen
376 m
Usteribrücke
456 m
Kaspar Escher-Haus, Kant. Verwaltungsgebäude
281 m
Ljmmat Sjhl: Hommage à James Joyce
384 m
Hände über der Stadt
290 m
Kantonales Verwaltungsgebäude Walchetor, Walcheturm, Neumühle
283 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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