Museum of the Swiss Charters of Confederation, History museum in Schwyz, Switzerland.
The Museum of the Swiss Charters of Confederation (Bundesbriefmuseum) is a history museum in Schwyz, built 1934–1936 to designs by Joseph Beeler. Its exhibition hall displays the Federal Charter of 1291 and all early confederation charters up to 1513, alongside 21 banners and flags. The main façade carries Heinrich Danioth's mural "Fundamentum" depicting the Brunnen pact.
The museum was founded in 1936 to preserve the Federal Charter of 1291, which represents the earliest agreement between the first three Swiss cantons. The building was specifically designed to safeguard and display this foundational constitutional document.
The main façade carries Heinrich Danioth's mural "Fundamentum", depicting the 1315 pact of Brunnen; its modern style caused controversy in central Switzerland. Inside, Walter Clénin's painting shows the Rütli Oath, and Hans Brandenberger's "Wehrbereitschaft" stands in the park. These works tied the 1291 charter to the spiritual national defence of the 1930s.
The museum sits near the town center of Schwyz, making it accessible on foot from most locations. Visitors should allow time to carefully examine the documents and artwork displayed throughout the rooms.
The 1930s building was conceived as a national shrine: the Federal Charter of 1291 was displayed on an "Altar of the Fatherland". Since the 2014 reopening, touchscreen stations accompany the charters in their display cases and explain their significance.
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