Learn about the evolution of humanity at Geneva's Museum of Art and History (Musée d'Art et d'Histoire). One of the most important historical institutions in Switzerland, the museum is home to a significant collection of sculptures, paintings, textiles and artefacts, some of which date back over 15 millennia.
Start your exploration of this museum on the ground floor, the section that features the applied arts. Admire the craftsmanship and intricacies in the collection of 23,000 metalwork, ceramic, furniture and textile pieces that range in date from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Highlights include a delightful display of musical instruments and an extensive collection of sparkling silverware.
Continue to the fine arts section on level two where you’ll see an extensive range of paintings. Every movement from the 15th century onwards is represented, including works from masters like Picasso, Rubens and Monet.
Discover more ancient human history in the archaeology displays in the museum’s basement levels. These fascinating exhibits comprise around 70,000 artefacts including the largest collection of Ancient Egyptian items in Switzerland. In the lowest level of the museum, find the regional archaeology exhibits which display discoveries that illuminate the earliest stages of human evolution.
The museum also hosts around 10 temporary exhibitions a year, so return visits are always worthwhile. For a more informative experience, purchase a video or audio guide from the main desk or take the Ten Masterpieces Tour, which provides deeper insights into some of the museum’s more significant works.
The museum building was built in 1910 to create a single exhibition space for a number of separate public collections. Today it houses over 650,000 cultural treasures from all over the globe.
The Museum of Art and History is located in Les Tranchées in the city centre and is easily accessible by tram. Entry is free to the permanent collection and the museum is open every day except Mondays. Temporary exhibits sometimes require ticket purchase.
