The best museums to visit in the city of Lucerne

The Rosengart Collection was originally the private Art Collection of the art dealer Siegfried Rosengart (1894–1985) and his daughter Angela. The collection showcases over 300 works of art by 23 different artists of the so-called Classical Modernist Period, including 125 works by Paul Klee and about 180 works by Pablo Picasso.

In 1992 Angela Rosengart established the Rosengart Foundation, with the goal to make the important collection accessible to the public. Today the Rosengart Collection is housed in the erstwhile Swiss National Bank in Lucerne, a neo-classical edifice built in 1924 in the Empire Style.

Covering an area of 2'100 square meters, the museum has changing exhibitions displaying significant works of modern art, as well as exhibitions from the museum's own collection, with an emphasis on 19th and 20th century landscape painting and international art from 1960. The architectural simplicity of the museum and the sophisticated use of light make every visit a genuine cultural experience.

For the current exhibition program, please visit the direct website of the Museum of Art Lucerne.

A permanent biological exhibition shows flora and fauna from Central Switzerland, and a variety of live animals can be seen in aquariums and terrariums. Rotating panels show butterflies and insects from all over the world. Other attractions are an educational woodland trail with real tree trunks and a mushroom computer. There is a permanent geographical representation of the formation of the Alps in prehistoric times.

From 1866 to 1872, Richard Wagner, his second wife, Cosima, and his children resided at Triebschen on Lake Lucerne in a stately mansion surrounded by a park and located right on the lake. The ground floor of this former residence now houses a collection featuring Richard Wagner himself and the time that he lived in Tribschen.

In addition to the food and beverages served, the Sommercafé on the beautiful museum forecourt affords magical views of the mountains and lake.

The stockroom tours are a completely new and permanent feature of the exhibition concept where they dramatise specific themes. They take place on the hour, every day the museum is open. Professional actors assume various roles and bring to life the world of history.

Traditional objects are surprisingly juxtaposed with contemporary objects in this museum. While photography is a main theme of the museum, there are also temporary exhibitions showing current trends in Swiss art and the latest video art.