Swiss National Sound Archives

The Swiss National Sound Archives in Lugano holds over 500,000 audio recordings documenting musical performances, radio broadcasts, and spoken word pieces from Switzerland. The collection is stored digitally and accessible through a searchable database for research and personal use.

The institution was founded in 1987 and moved to its present location in Centro San Carlo in 2001 to house its growing collection. This relocation allowed the archives to expand and improve their operations significantly.

The archives hold recordings that document the diversity of Swiss musical and linguistic traditions across regions. Today visitors can explore these audio documents at listening stations and hear how different communities have expressed themselves.

The collection is accessible through a searchable database for researchers and visitors interested in exploring audio materials for personal or professional purposes. You can visit listening stations on-site or inquire about access options for the digital content.

Between 20,000 and 25,000 new audio documents are added to the collection annually, many through voluntary contributions from publishers and artists throughout Switzerland. This constant growth makes the archives an active project that continues to capture contemporary voices and music.

Location: Lugano

Inception: 1987

Part of: Swiss National Library, list of cultural properties in Lugano

Address: Via Cortivallo 11, CH-6900 Lugano

Phone: +41584657344

Email: fnoffice@nb.admin.ch

Website: https://fonoteca.ch

GPS coordinates: 46.00605,8.93990

Latest update: December 9, 2025 12:24