Cultural sightseeing in Switzerland

Culture in Switzerland was formed under the influence of neighboring countries - France, Germany, and Italy. The largest museums of the country are located in Zurich, Bern, Geneva, Basel, and Lausanne. Bern is an ancient city. There is the Museum of Natural History, the Historical Museum, the Einstein House Museum, and a huge number of architectural monuments, castles, and towers. Zurich has the Swiss National Museum, the Rietberg Museum, and the Toy Museum.  Geneva can boast the Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum, the Ethnographic Museum, the Museum of Art and History, and the Palace of Nations, where the UN, the IAEA, and UNESCO are based.

Bern is the fifth largest city in Switzerland and one of the most beautiful cities in the country. The old district is fully included in the UNESCO World Heritage List; the place has the largest number of attractions. The Bernese cathedral is the most impressive building in this part of the city. The landmark was built in the 15th century in the Gothic style. Another famous symbol of Bern is Zytglogge, a medieval tower with a clock dating back to the 13th century. There are numerous fountains and ancient churches all around the city. Albert Einstein has lived in Berne for some time. Now, his house is converted into the museum. The museum of the Swiss Alps will appeal to geography lovers. It's worth looking into Tram and Historical museums.

The Swiss National Museum is located in Zurich. The building is constructed in the style of French eclecticism of the Renaissance. That's one of the main attractions of the country. The exposition of the museum tells visitors about the history of Switzerland since the times, when Celts settlements were located on its lands. There are collections of objects of everyday life, items of Gothic culture and the era of knights, collections of faience and porcelain. Other interesting places in Zurich include museums dedicated to dinosaurs, toys, winemaking, spinning wheels, and rabbits. The largest cathedrals of Zurich are Grossmünster and Fraumünster, male and female monasteries. They were founded in the 9-11th centuries. However, the oldest temple is St. Peter's Church; it was founded in the 8th century. All of them are located in Old Zurich, the historical downtown. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

The only museum in Switzerland dedicated to ancient art is in Basel. Antikenmuseum Basel und Sammlung Ludwig presents exhibits of ancient Greek, Roman, ancient Egyptian, and Etruscan culture, as well as a collection of antiquities of Peter Ludwig, the largest collector of the 20th century. In addition to it, the Fire Department, the picturesque Botanical Garden of the University, and museums of modern art, caricatures, and anatomy are located in Zurich. Headquarters of the UN and many other public organizations are situated in Geneva, in the Palace of Nations. Tourists will find it interested to visit the Museum of Modern Art, Petit Palais, as well as the Wall of the Reformation, the Large Hadron Collider, and St. Paul's Cathedral.

There are many castles in Switzerland. The town of Bellinzona has three medieval fortresses, which have perfectly preserved to the present day. Castelgrande was built by the Romans. Montebello was founded in the 13th century, and Sasso-Corbaro Castle was constructed in the 15th century. The complex will be especially amazing for travelers interested in the medieval architecture. Another well-known castle - Chillon - is on the shores of Lake Geneva. That's the landmark of the country and a popular tourist destination. It was constructed in the 12th century and consists of a total of 24 buildings. Inside, there is an exhibition that tells about the history of this unique place. During the tour, you can get acquainted with the special design of the place.