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125 Jahre Landesmuseum

125 Years National Museum Zurich

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In 2023, the National Museum Zurich celebrated its 125th anniversary with various events, guided tours and the exhibition “1898 – 2023 – 2148”.

Exhibition

1898 – 2023 – 2148

10. - 11.06.2023

Four school groups from Switzerland's four language regions present everyday objects that will tell people 125 years from now – in 2148 – something about the present day. What should future generations know about 2023? What objects could the National Museum Zurich exhibit in 125 years' time to provide an insight into the world as it is now? 

The collected objects illustrate the things that matter to young people, how they spend their free time, and what they find thought-provoking, exciting or stressful. They range from personal keepsakes and practical implements to symbolic substitutes.

Exhibition

coveted. cared for. martyred.
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History of Switzerland
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A magic carpet ride through history
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The collection
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Simply Zurich
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Stamp

Briefmarke zum 125. Jubiläum des Landesmuseums, 2023.

To celebrate the 125th anniversary of the National Museum, a special Swiss Post stamp has been issued. It is available in the National Museum's boutique.

Participatory activity

A special hands-on activity for young and old offered the opportunity to become part of the anniversary: In the inner courtyard, we formed the logo of the National Museum together and captured it on a photo for eternity.

Many thanks to all the volunteers who participated!

The National Museum Zrich over the course of time

Selected milestones and events in the history of the National Museum Zurich.

Druckgraphik zur Schweizerischen Landesausstellung in Zürich, 1883. Vorne das Ausstellungsareal, der Platzspitz, hinten die Stadt, der See und Berge.

1883

The first exhibition

In 1883, the National Exhibition is held on the Platzspitz in Zurich, later the site of the National Museum. It was a great success. From then on, the location next to the main railway station was to remain important for the formation of the identity of the young nation state.
Sandsteinporträt von Gustav Gull an der Westfassade des Landesmuseums, um 1898.

1891

Gustav Gull

In 1891, after a heated dispute between Bern and Zurich, the National Council and the Council of States decide to build the National Museum in the city on the Limmat. The Zurich architect Gustav Gull, a representative of historicism, is awarded the contract for the planning of the representative building.
Bau des Landesmuseums mit Turmgerüst, um 1893.

1892

A difficult construction

In 1892 work begins on what was then Zurich's largest building site. The realisation of Gull's extravagant plans turns out to be more protracted than expected and there are repeated delays.
Umzug zur Eröffnung des Landesmuseums am 25. Juni 1898. Wagen mit Helvetia und einem Modell des Landesmuseums.

1898

Pompous opening

There is great joy and relief when the Federal Council opens the National Museum on 24 June 1898. The highlight of the celebration is the costumed parade with 2000 participants, 21 music corps, 200 mounted soldiers and 70 floats.
Die Waffenhalle im Landesmuseum um 1900.

1900

Another dispute

In 1900, the famous Swiss painter Ferdinand Hodler creates three frescoes entitled "Retreat from Marignano" for the Hall of Fame. However, the director Heinrich Angst found the work too modern and not heroic enough. Only after the intervention of the Federal Council can Hodler complete his work.
Die einer gotischen Krypta nachempfundene Schatzkammer, wo unter eindrücklichem Gewölbe eine Vielzahl weltlicher und kirchlicher Gold- und Silberarbeiten gezeigt wurden, um 1900.

1900

Crowd pleaser

After its opening, the National Museum quickly became a magnet for the public. The disputes in the run-up had undoubtedly aroused the curiosity of the population. Free admission and the central location near Zurich railway station do the rest, but above all the spectacularly designed exhibition rooms inspire enthusiasm.
Kaiser Wilhelm II. vor der Postkutsche, begleitet unter anderen von Museumsdirektor Heinrich Angst

1912

A distinguished visitor

On 3 September 1912, the German Emperor Wilhelm II visits the National Museum at the start of his state visit.
Französische Flüchtende im Hof des Landesmuseums, 1916.

1916

In world affairs

During the First World War, Zurich and the National Museum are temporary places of refuge for French refugees. The arriving people gather in the courtyard of the museum. A commemorative plaque still reminds us of this today.
Plan des Erweiterungsprojekts von 1915. Gustav Gull sah vor, im Osten einen neuen Gebäudetrakt anzubauen und im Westen den Vorplatz mit einem Gebäudeflügel zu umschliessen.

1935

The mini-extension

Even at the time of the opening, it was clear that the National Museum would be too small to accommodate the rapidly growing collection. In 1906 there was already a preliminary study for an extension, which was then postponed due to disputes. In 1935, the School of Arts and Crafts moves out and the museum can take over the wing.
Architekturmodell für ein Erweiterungsprojekt von Albert Heinrich Steiner, 1944.

1945

Extension has to wait

In 1945, the realisation of an extension plan is closer than ever. A modern annex is to be added to the west side of the old building. But after the end of the war, the city changes its financial priorities. Schools, hospitals and flats are needed - the museum has to wait.
Restaurierungsatelier für Gemälde, um 1973.

1973

Everything under one roof

Until the opening of the collection centre in Affoltern am Albis, not only the collection holdings but also the restorers' studios are located at the National Museum in Zurich. Photographs from 1973 document the working environment of that time.
Die Kasse beim Haupteingang des Landesmuseums, um 1973.

1975

Over 250,000 admissions

In 1975, the National Museum records, for the first time, more than a quarter of a million admissions. This is also thanks to some 14 special exhibitions. At that time, the exhibitions were strongly focused on the presentation of the museum's own collection.
Jenny Schneider um 1982. | © Schweizerisches Nationalmuseum

1982

The first female director

First working for the National Museum as curator and vice-director for almost 25 years, Jenny Schneider was elected head of the National Museum by the Federal Council in 1982. She is not only the first female director of the National Museum, but also the first woman to head a federal office.
Notmassnahmen zur Verstärkung der Säulen im Eingangsbereich, um 1994. | © Schweizerisches Nationalmuseum

1994

Security risk

On 29 March 1994, parts of the museum had to be closed to the public within hours because structural defects posed a considerable safety risk. Thanks to emergency measures, the temporary exhibition is still accessible, but the Hall of Fame remains closed for a long time.
Webseite des Landesmuseum von 1998. | © Schweizerisches Nationalmuseum

1997

Arrival in the Internet age

In 1997 the National Museum goes online. At www.slmnet.ch, the museum presents its offerings digitally. In 1998 it is even possible to take a virtual tour of the museum.
Besucherinnen und Besucher stehen Schlange um die Ausstellung zu Leonardo da Vinci zu sehen, Januar 2001. | © Schweizerisches Nationalmuseum

2000

With momentum into the new millennium

The Swiss National Museum gets off to a flying start in the new millennium: the exhibition "Leonardo da Vinci - Scientist, Inventor, Artist" breaks all previous records. The momentum of the successful year 2000 leads to the long-term reorganisation and expansion of the Swiss National Museum.
Spatenstich zum Erweiterungsbau, 1912. | © Schweizerisches Nationalmuseum

2012

Ground-breaking ceremony for the extension

After the competition for the extension of the National Museum was awarded to the young architects Christ & Gantenbein in 2002 and the project, which was subsequently revised several times, was approved in two referendums, the ground-breaking ceremony for the modern extension building finally took place in 2012.
Sicht auf den neuen Museumshof mit dem Erweiterungsbau, 2016. | © Schweizerisches Nationalmuseum

2016

The new National Museum

The extension building will be ceremoniously opened on National Day 2016. In the new wing, the exhibitions "Europe in the Renaissance" and the new permanent exhibition "Archaeology Switzerland" make the museological departure visible. But the new National Museum also sets new standards in terms of visitor services, exhibition technology and security.
Restaurierung und Rekonstruktion der Malereien in der unteren Kapelle, 2018. | © Schweizerisches Nationalmuseum

2019

Restoration of the historic old building

Shortly after the opening of the extension, urgently needed renovation work will begin in the historic old building. In 2019, the west wing with its historic rooms shine in new splendour, just as it was originally built by Gustav Gull.

Past exhibitions since 2010

Blog posts about the history of the National Museum Zurich

A snapshot of the Swiss National Museum in 1998

Elke Baumann

25. May 2023

While a museum’s job is to showcase the past, that doesn’t mean it can’t evolve. A trip to the Swiss National Museum to mark the centenary 25 years ago was a very different experience than it is today. Join us on a tour of the museum in 1998.

Aerial photograph of the National Museum from the south, taken in 1999

Gull’s big break

Cristina Gutbrod

30. May 2023

Gustav Gull’s design for the Swiss National Museum in the late 19th century marked the start of his rise to become a star architect.

Gustav Gull’s design for the Swiss National Museum in Zurich’s application to host the museum, 1890.

The long road to enlargement

Alexander Rechsteiner

29. June 2018

Behind what in 2016 became reality lay over 100 years of planning. Funding issues, quarrels and a retirement stood in the way of enlarging the National Museum throughout the 20th century.

© Copyright by SNM
All blog posts

Media

The National Museum’s birthday: cause for celebration

published on 2.6.2023

This year, the National Museum Zurich celebrates its 125th anniversary – a fitting occasion to review the museum’s eventful past and look to the future at the same time. The highlight of the celebrations is the anniversary weekend on 10 and 11 June.

The anniversary weekend features a rich programme of exhibitions, workshops and special tours. Visitors will be able to go behind the scenes and find out all sorts of things about the museum, from how its energy supply works to how an exhibition is organised. The exhibitions include 30-minute journeys through time where the curators use an object to delve deep into the past.

By contrast, the '1898–2023–2148' event, taking place exclusively on the anniversary weekend, is all about the future. Four school classes from Switzerland's four language regions will present everyday objects that will tell people 125 years from now – in 2148 – something about the present day. The public will also have the opportunity to talk to the young people about the objects they have chosen and the stories behind them. The new temporary exhibition 'Red-haired Zora and the Black Brothers' will also be officially opened on Saturday 10 June. It traces the lives of writing couple Lisa Tetzner and Kurt Kläber and examines what makes their famous young people’s books so popular.

On Saturday evening, a concert by Swiss musician Marius Bear in the museum courtyard will end the day on a musical note. In 2022, the Appenzell native represented Switzerland in Eurovision and his distinctive voice won over the audience.

Sunday is for the young guests: besides all the family tours, there will be a children’s concert with Laurent & Max at 11am. Hannibal mini-theatre will host a performance of the famous story 'The Outsiders of Uskoken Castle'. A manually operated carousel will also keep the children entertained.

The temporary exhibition 'Happy you have rights day' that runs until 16 July takes another occasion – the 175th anniversary of the Confederation – as an opportunity to revisit the history of the Swiss Federal Constitution, especially the fundamental rights - and to bring them to life in a fun and entertaining way.

Refreshments will be available from vegan food oasis Hofkino in the inner courtyard and Bistro Spitz.

Entry is free on both days. The complete programme is at www.landesmuseum.ch/125

Documents

Images

125 Jahre Landesmuseum | © © Swiss National Museum
Keyvisual

Keyvisual 125 years of the National Museum Zurich

© Swiss National Museum

© © Swiss National Museum

Postcard with National Museum Zurich, around 1900.

© Swiss National Museum

© © Swiss National Museum

Building of the National Museum Zurich with tower scaffolding, around 1893.

© Swiss National Museum

© © Swiss National Museum

Postcard with National Museum Zurich, around 1900.

© Swiss National Museum

Please note that the downloading and use of images is reserved exclusively for journalists, teachers and other authorised parties. Images are only permitted to be used for the purposes of reporting on exhibitions, provided the captions and reference to copyright are included, or for teaching purposes. Many thanks!

Swiss National Museum press contact

National Museum Zurich
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