The Swiss National Museum was planned to be built in Bern, but it was nevertheless was moved to Zurich. A special building was erected for it. The museum was established in the 19th century and is the largest repository of exhibits in the country, The museum was established in the 19th century and is the country's largest repository of artefacts relating to Swiss history, in particular the development of the arts, crafts and manufacturing. The architecture of the building is unusual, reflecting various elements of the many styles that have influenced the Swiss history.
The bulk of the exhibits are from the prehistoric period, especially, the Neolithic period. Many exhibits represent the art of the Middle Ages. Here you here you can find evidence of the culture of the age of knights and wooden religious sculptures, paintings and carved wood altars.
One section presents objects recovered by archaeologists working throughout Switzerland. There are also items of crafts and everyday life, specimens of weapons and clothing. The oldest of them date back to the 4th millennium BC. A key place is occupied by an exhibition devoted to Swiss watchmaking. watchmaking. The museum also displays sacred art objects - stained glass, frescoes and frescoes. stained glass windows, frescoes and tiles, miraculously preserved during the destruction of the monasteries in the 16th century. Some of them are of special artistic as well as historical value, as they date back to the 9th century and belong to the Carolingian period.
Additionally, you can visit the library with an open reading room and a café. café.
