An excellent museum showcasing the cultural history of the entire country of Switzerland is housed in a castle-like structure with a Neo-Gothic flair. With more than 820,000 items spanning a wide range of topics from prehistory to the 20th century, it is the most significant collection of Swiss historical and cultural relics.
Among the best in Europe are the archaeological collections, which contain objects from 100,000 BC to AD 800 found in Switzerland. Entire groups are devoted to fabrics, costumes, metalwork, jewellery, watches and clocks, rural life, carriages and sleighs, musical instruments, crafts, industrial antiques, and works by goldsmiths and silversmiths.
The collection of antique stained glass is quite fascinating, as are the mediaeval wall paintings. A notable collection of weapons and armour is on display in the Armory Tower.
Early migration and settlement, religious and intellectual history, political history, and the economic growth of Switzerland are the four themes that run through the exhibits. In 20 exhibitions, the Collections Gallery gives a general overview of Swiss goods and handicrafts.
The museum’s most famous exhibits are a collection of meticulously recreated historical rooms that display furnishings and decorative arts in room settings that trace habitation development through the ages as needs and tastes evolved. Additionally, on the show is 20th-century Swiss furniture, emphasising the differences.