SWISS NATIONAL MUSEUM (LANDESMUSEUM)

Together with Prangins Castle, the Forum of Swiss History in Schwyz and the collection centre in Affoltern am Albis, the National Museum in Zurich forms the so-called Swiss National Museum. Located opposite the main railway station, the museum was built in 1898 in the historicist style by the great Zurich architect Gustav Gull to mark the 50th anniversary of the first Federal Constitution. Inspired by the Hohenzollern castle in Germany and the French Renaissance castles, the building has the appearance of a fairy-tale castle with turrets and vaults. Once you enter the courtyard, you will see a completely different face of the museum: the new wing, an ultra-contemporary construction of 7,400^m2, opened to the public in 2016. The Christ & Gantenbein agency designed this extension, known for its geometric and monolithic appearance, its abrupt lines and the use of concrete and tuff. Tradition and modernity are thus combined in a beautiful harmony. The museum houses the largest collection of objects on the cultural history of Switzerland and traces the history of the country from prehistoric times to modern times. Works of art, handicrafts and everyday objects tell the story of the country's inhabitants over the course of time. The art of the Middle Ages has a particularly important place here. The permanent exhibition "Simply Zurich" on the first floor of the old building is not to be missed.