Three museums – the National Museum Zurich, the Château de Prangins and the Forum of Swiss History Schwyz – along with the Collection Centre in Affoltern am Albis are united under the umbrella of the Swiss National Museum. The museums present Swiss history from its beginnings to the present, with both permanent displays and temporary exhibitions on current topics giving an insight into Swiss identities and the rich tapestry of our country’s history and culture.
The National Museum Zurich is located in the heart of the city of Zurich, just a minute’s walk from the main station. The popular museum of cultural history consists of an elegant historical old building and a sculptural new wing. The museum was built in 1898 under the guidance of architect Gustav Gull, a student of Gottfried Semper. Gull drew on various historicising architectural features from the late Middle Ages to the modern era, combining them to create a single whole. The new extension, which was designed by Swiss architects Christ & Gantenbein and opened in 2016, complements Gustav Gull’s original wing perfectly. It contains large, flexible exhibition spaces, a modern library and an auditorium for public events.
In its permanent exhibitions the National Museum Zurich showcases Swiss history from its earliest times to the present day. Temporary exhibitions on topical themes add to this wealth of information. With special events and guided tours, the museum offers a cultural platform for Swiss history and paves the way for a dialogue with society.
