Geneva's Museum of Art andHistory(Musée d'Art et d'Histoire) documents the evolution of humanculture. Explore the exhibition halls of one of the country’s most importantinstitutions and spot sculptures, paintings, textiles and artefacts that dateback over 15 millennia.
Built in 1910, this museum was designedto mirror the evolution of humanity, with its basement levels exhibiting thebirth of Homo sapiens and its upper levels displaying the fine culture we nowembody. The collection includes over 650,000 treasures from around the world.
On the ground floor, find the appliedarts section. Browse a collection of 23,000 metalwork, ceramic, furniture andtextile pieces that span the course of history. Some of these craftsmen wereworking as far back as the Middle Ages. Delight in the displays of ancientmusical instruments and gleaming silverware.
Climb to level two to move into theworld of fine arts. Paintings and sculptures here represent every movement fromthe 15th century onwards. Highlights include the romanticist works of Rubens,impressionist Monet paintings and Picasso’s abstract portraits.
Delve into the depths of human history inthe museum’s basement levels. These archaeology displays draw from a collectionof 70,000 artefacts including the largest collection of Ancient Egyptian itemsin Switzerland. In the museum’s lowest level, explore the earliest stages ofhuman evolution with exhibits of regional archaeology discoveries.
The museum hosts around 10 temporaryexhibitions each year, so return often and see what’s new. Purchase a video oraudio guide from the main desk to take the Ten Masterpieces Tour. This multilingualtour reveals deeper insights about the museum’s significant works and is wellworth the price.
The Museum of Art and History is locatedin Les Tranchées. Get there easily by tram. Admission to the permanentcollection is free, though temporary exhibits may charge an entry fee. Themuseum is open every except Mondays.
