So after we had some delicious behind the Bahnhof dim sum, we wandered around to check out the Landesmuseum. To be honest, I have never really noticed this building before. As Jace said, it just happens to be on the wrong side of the tracks. Literally. :) So we don't make it over that often. However, it is a lovely building and the Landesmuseum, or Swiss National Museum, itself is supposed to be fabulous - has anyone been? Should we check it out?
Just behind the buliding is where you can join up with the Limmat and walk or bike, I imagine, for miles and miles along the river, but be aware- I felt like this area was a bit dodgy, attracting a few of the wrong people if you know what I mean. Perhaps it was just the day we went.
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11 comments:
I posted a long winded story about the area (previously Needle Park) on my blog some time ago... I went there to see what had changed recently and found it nice but for some reason - probably location, also found it a little iffy... clean and nice but a little secluded. It has a very chequered history.
I brought my sister for a quick walk-around in the Landesmuseum last week. I must say the museum is small, and more so now with their renovation. If you think you can spare a couple of hours watching, and looking at their current special exhibit on "Swiss Humour", then go for it. It was entirely in German, so my sister and I had no fun for our 10-chf visit (each).
Apart from the Landesmuseum and the Wassertaxi stop there, I don't think I'd wander there by myself for no good reason. I don't know the history to that park / side of the tracks, but it did give me the 'heebie-jeebies', esp. guys in sweater hoodies. Something didn't sit right. (Too much "Law and Order" and "48 hour Mystery", you think?)
Hi Jessica,
As my train from Brugg usually comes into ZH HB on track 18, I see that building a lot, and also the area over on that side is more familiar to me (not by the river, but going over to the Brockenhaus). The museum: not yet worth paying for (maybe after the renovation work is done in a few years). But here's my big tip: become a member of Raiffeisen and you'll get a 'free' Swiss Museumpass (or you can just buy the Museumpass on its own). It costs about CHF 200 to open an account at Raiffeisen (it's a credit union and you basically buy a share) and you get this money back if you close out the account. We go to museums a lot, sometimes just for a half-hour, and the Museumpass is wonderful! Valid at more than 400 museums and castles and stuff all over CH. One big omission is the Kunsthaus in ZH, but still.
Hey Jessica, I would have to agree with Juanita and Z that the museum is not so worth it right now. Isaiah and I went a few months back (to escape the cold - and it was 5 CHF/per person, maybe because it was Sunday?). I did enjoy a new edition to the permanent collection that featured Roman jewelry excavated in the Zürich area in 1741. http://www.slmnet.ch/e/zuerich/dauerausstellung/lunnern.php
Fun for me - boring for Isaiah.
The park is dodgey for sure, but if you go with others, nobody bothers you. A walk along the Limmat is so much fun, but it is a younger crowd usually playing, spray painting or chatting and drinking and enjoying the sun, or swimming down the river. IT's great for a afternoon walk with a group of friends.
What can I add to the mix ? Hmmm, I agree on the -wait- consensus. I think the permanent exhibits are reopening on August 1st, so I would say, if you can hold off for 2 months, it's a good idea. The humor exhibit was fun - even though I don't speak German. Lots of cartoons and images. And even though I didn't understand an enormous part of the text, I still got the gist of a lot of the stereotypes for sure. Oh, and if you speak French, there's one room where they are showing a video of the comedian show: Marie-Therese Porchet - hilarious !!! A must see for sure!! (the comedian is actually performing in Zurich this month at Maiers)
Just a little more on the August 1st thing (I just saw a brochure). It will be an Open House day with free entry, culinary treats, special tours, etc... looks like a great time to go!
Ok, so I am going to be the only one that disagrees with the masses. My wife and I really enjoy the Landesmuseum. We've been there thrice now. I agree that the new exhibit is a bit... lacking. But the building is beautiful even with the construction. Also, each time we go, we find a new area to explore. Also, the first time we went (a few years ago) everything was in German. Now it seems they have relabeled most of the exhibits in English, French, German, Italian.
Either way, just wanted to make another note: your site is great and very informative. Thanks! We are temporary expats from Houston. My contract ends in December, and unless work picks up, we head home. Anyway, thanks for being you!
Thanks everyone! Some excellent feedback here. I think it is official that I have to check this place out for myself and report back. I will probably take the advice of many and go sometime after August.
Let me know if anyone else wants to meet up and we can make it a group date. :)
I also think the Landesmuseum is well worth visiting. And I don't even like history museums normally. I first visited after I had been working in Switzerland for 3 weeks, and it provided tremendous insights into national identity or perhaps I should say vagueness of identity (canton system, swiss guard, etc). The visual presentation of the exhibits are clever and exciting - the spears tumble out from the wall! Be sure to wander upstairs to see the toys, and older style clothes and dishware. As for the park, probably nicer if you are by yourself to walk along the other side of the Limat and stop for lunch at the cafe near the artist collective.
I liked the new permanent exhibition a lot. It offers a great oversight of the swiss history and identity, i will definitely be back to spend more time there..
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