Rietberg Museum

Zürich, Switzerland

The Rietberg Museum in Zürich displays Asian, African, American and Oceanian art. It is the only art museum of non-European cultures in Switzerland, the third-largest museum in Zürich, and the largest to be run by the city itself.

The Rietberg Museum is situated in the Rieterpark in central Zürich, and consists of several historic buildings: the Wesendonck Villa, the Remise (or 'Depot'), the Rieter Park-Villa, and the Schönberg Villa. In 2007 a new building designed by Alfred Grazioli and Adolf Krischanitz was opened – the addition of this largely subterranean building, known as 'Smaragd', more than doubled the museum's exhibition space.

In the early 1940s the city of Zürich purchased the Rieterpark and the Wesendonck Villa. In 1949 the Wesendonck Villa was selected, by referendum, to be rebuilt into a museum for the Baron Eduard von der Heydt's art collection, which he had donated to the city in 1945. This was carried out in 1951-52 under the architect Alfred Gradmann. The Rietberg Museum was opened on 24 May 1952. Until 1956 the director was Johannes Itten, the Swiss expressionist painter.

In 1976 the city acquired the Schönberg Villa, which had been threatened with demolition, and opened it in 1978 as an extension of the museum. Today the Villa is also home to an extensive non-lending library administrated by the museum.

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Details

Founded: 1952
Category: Museums in Switzerland

Rating

4.7/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Rc E (2 months ago)
A smallish museum with a somewhat eclectic mix of things. However, the ceramic collection is outstanding and absolutely worth the visit on its own!
Alina G (4 months ago)
One of the most underestimated museums in Zurich. A wonderful collection divided into several parts: China, Japan, India, Africa, Latin America and Polynesia. Very educational for both adults and children. I especially draw attention to the fact that until the end of 2024 the entrance to the museum is free. There is a very nice cafe in the museum.
Nils Paellmann (5 months ago)
Fascinating ethnographic museum with fabulous collections spanning many periods and continents. I would highlight the African, Chinese, Japanese, and pre-Columbian collections, among others. There is also a fascinating room of Swiss carnival masks. Beautiful location in a park setting. The original Villa Wesendonck is stunning with its connection to Mathilde Wesendonck and her relationship with Richard Wagner. There is even a Richard Wagner bust on the property. The current exhibition on the Benin bronzes is fascinating, while not being fully transparent on the role of the Kingdom of Benin in the slave trade and how manillas the Kingdom obtained in exchange for enslaved people and other goods were then cast into the Benin bronzes. It also does not document fully that the so called punitive expedition resulted from the massacre of an unarmed British trade mission.
Natalia Kurganova (7 months ago)
The museum is simply beautiful. With interesting underground structure, splendid outside cafe, nice shop with great options for a small present and awesome location within park and views. The museum itself was free when we visited it, but it had so much to offer! We were with children of different age, and it was hard for us to cover everything they had. Check what exhibitions are held before visiting. Recommending!
Arjun Butani (10 months ago)
Great museum. The villa underneath is beautiful too. The gardens and the cafe looked inviting too. Love how classical meets contemporary here. The two exhibitions on- Iran and Indigenous Colombia were brilliant. A must visit if you come to Zurich
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