Rietburg Museum

The Rietburg Museum is located in the middle of a 17 acre park, Rieterpark, in central Zurich.  The park was bought by the city of Zurich in the 1940s.  The collection is housed in the Wesendonck Villa, a mid-nineteenth century mansion built for industrialist Otto Wesendonck.  It was also home to Richard Wagner.  The beautiful Neo-classical villa was designed by Swiss architect Leonhard Zeugheer.  The museum opened in 1952, but has expanded into the Schönberg Villa and an underground extension.

The collection is exclusively non-European, the only of its kind in Switzerland.  Most objects on display are from Asia, Africa, and pre-Colombian America.  The Indian collection features lots of interesting sculptures, including dancing Shivas, Buddhas, and the Tirthankara Rishabhanatha, a beautiful white marble stele.  All sorts of intriguing objects from all over Africa are on display.  The mask collection is one highlight.

This is an excellent museum.  There are a lot of interesting objects on display here.  The villas and surrounding park are beautiful as well.  The Rietburg Museum is easily accessible via tram, specifically the #7 tram.

Location: Gablerstrasse 15
Telephone: +41 044 206 3131
Hours: Open
Admission:
   CHF 16.00 Adult
CHF 12.00 Reduced
Free admission for children under 16.