The Zurich National Museum is located at the northern end of Zurich’s city center, the most important city in Switzerland. The museum is conveniently located near a train station, making it easily accessible from any part of the city.
It is undoubtedly one of Zurich’s top tourist attractions, especially popular from November to January due to the festive holiday season.
To visit this museum for free, along with 19 other museums around the city, the best option is to get a Zurich Card (you can buy it here). The Zurich Card also provides benefits like access to public transport, boat trips on the lake, and discounts at various shops and excursions.
History, Architecture, and Description of the Zurich National Museum
The Zurich National Museum was inaugurated in 1898, designed by the renowned Swiss architect Gustav Gull. Its architectural design is inspired by the late medieval and early modern eras.
The museum’s structure includes castle-like towers that create the impression of watching over the city center. Additionally, it boasts courtyards, coat-of-arms displays, and a large park situated between the Limmat and Sihl rivers.
The idea for the museum’s construction arose within the European movement for national collection creation, with cities such as Basel, Bern, and Zurich (the winning city) participating.
Inside, the museum features historical rooms with original decorations and wooden ceilings. These spaces house an extensive collection of Swiss historical artifacts.
Since its founding, the museum has undergone several expansions and renovations, including a significant one in 1998 with the addition of the Prangins Castle (1730) extension on Lake Geneva.
Visiting the Zurich Museum
The Zurich National Museum attracts both tourists and locals thanks to its excellent exhibitions. It contains a wide array of objects representing Swiss culture.
The museum is renowned for its interactive and audiovisual exhibits of outstanding quality. It offers a diverse selection of works, eras, and styles, making a visit to the National Museum highly enriching.
This unique feature allows visitors to delve deeper into Swiss and European heritage. Additionally, guests can enjoy medieval frescoes and Renaissance artworks.
Within the Zurich National Museum, one of the oldest Gothic art exhibitions in Europe can be found. Another gallery displays the evolution of fashion and trends, featuring traditional costumes and historic flags.
The museum also showcases various modes of transport, including carriages, sleds, and old train carriages. Visitors can also see well-preserved furniture crafted in Switzerland from the 15th to the 21st century.
What can we see in the museum?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQiRojbW884
The museum is organized across several floors as follows:
- Ground Floor
The exhibitions at the Zurich National Museum begin on the ground floor.
This journey covers a timeline from 100,000 B.C. to 800 A.D.
On this level, visitors can explore the evolution of religious art in depth.
- First Floor
Similarly, the first floor is dedicated to pieces from the 16th and 17th centuries, highlighting the progression of artistic styles.
This level includes valuable objects spanning many eras and regions.
- Second and Third Floors
The second and third floors showcase representations from the 18th and 19th centuries.
- Basement
Finally, in the basement, visitors can view exhibits related to the 19th century.
Numismatic Exhibition Rooms
The museum includes a numismatic room featuring over 100,000 ancient Celtic coins, as well as a collection of historical medals and banknotes.
Globes, scientific measuring instruments, uniforms, hunting weapons, and military artifacts are also on display in this area.
For art lovers, the museum exhibits Carolingian frescoes and medieval wooden sculptures.
Most Important Works
The museum’s most notable works focus on Swiss history and culture.
The exhibit titled “What Switzerland Eats” is an example of this, displaying cooking pots, pans, and other items that trace the evolution of Swiss cuisine.
There is also a dedicated exhibition on Walter Mittelholzer.
A pioneering pilot, entrepreneur, and social media star of his time, Mittelholzer’s collection includes his achievements, books, films, and countless photographs of landscapes.
The museum also houses a fascinating exhibition called “Archaeology in Switzerland,” which consists of archaeological remains from ancient Celtic and Roman inhabitants.
This collection contains around 1,400 items that shed light on various stages of human history.
These artifacts reveal details of daily life in prehistory, including hunting tools made of bone and stone.
The “Archaeology in Switzerland” exhibit also highlights the domestication of animals.
Regarding Switzerland’s historical evolution, the museum presents the “History of Switzerland” collection, showcasing more than 800 artifacts divided into Migration, Economy, and Politics sections.
Here, visitors can admire the Dufour Map, the first topographic map of Switzerland, a cartographic masterpiece over 150 years old.
The Zurich National Museum also preserves religious paintings and sculptures. One example is the statue of Mary and Jesus crafted by Nicklaus Weckmann in 1945.
This collection includes the Hall of Fame frescoes by Ferdinand Hodler and paintings by Hans Erni.
Mobile App for the Museum
At the National Museum’s reception, visitors can rent tablets with the Landesmuseum Zurich app.
This digital tool allows for multimedia tours and offers deeper insight into the museum.
The app can also be downloaded for free on any mobile device.
It provides access to the museum’s most memorable rooms. The app is available in Mandarin, Italian, German, English, and French.
Is a visit to the Zurich National Museum worth it?
The National Museum offers its visitors a journey through the cultural history of Switzerland, from its origins to the present day.
It’s a comprehensive experience, filled with valuable artifacts and audiovisual elements that make the tour enjoyable and enriching.
With all this in mind, we highly recommend that a visit here is a must if you’re spending a few days in Switzerland’s capital.
What to see nearby?
Before or after your visit to the Swiss National Museum, you can explore other attractive tourist spots around Zurich.
For instance, there is the main railway station, the largest station in Switzerland and a key link between Swiss and Italian trains.
Near the museum, you’ll also find Toptrek Touren, a bike rental service that allows tourists and locals to tour the city at their own pace.
Just outside the National Museum is Bahnhofstrasse, or “station street”, one of Zurich’s most famous shopping streets. This bustling area is full of people, shops, and trams.
Toward the end of Bahnhofstrasse lies Paradeplatz, home to Zurich’s two most important banks, Credit Suisse Group and UBS.
Useful Information
If you plan to visit the Zurich National Museum, it’s important to know how to get there and the available transportation options to navigate the city smoothly and arrive without any trouble.
Before visiting the museum, be sure to check its opening hours to avoid the disappointment and time lost if it happens to be closed.
Zurich National Museum Admission Prices
Tickets for the Swiss National Museum are quite affordable.
Admission is 10 Swiss francs for visitors aged 17 and up, while entry is free for those under 16.
Annual adult passes can also be purchased through the museum’s website, costing 35 Swiss francs.
Zurich Museum Hours
The Swiss National Museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
However, on Thursdays, it stays open until 7 p.m.
How to Get to the Landesmuseum
Once in Switzerland, make your way to Zurich. You can arrive by train, getting off at Zurich’s main station, and from there, it’s just a short walk across the street.
You can also take the tram, which conveniently provides tourist information about the city.
Another option is to arrive by ferry, crossing the Limmat River.