Zurich📍 Swiss National Museum (Landesmuseum Zürich)

The Swiss National Museum, Landesmuseum Zürich, was established in 1898. Unlike many museums that are housed in former castles or churches, this one was specifically designed as a historicist-style national museum. It boasts an impressive collection of 840,000 artifacts spread across over 100 exhibition halls. 🏛️ The permanent exhibitions showcase a variety of Swiss-made items, including handkerchiefs, wood carvings, watches, clothing, and furniture. The designs often feature subtle yet playful patterns, with flora and fauna being a common theme. From dogs and bears to cows, sheep, horses, and sparrows, even the prints on the shepherds' shirts depict adorable cows. This reflects the Swiss people's innate closeness to nature and love for animals, which is evident in the country's overall landscape, where humans and nature coexist harmoniously in a sustainable way. 🌳 One surprising fact I learned is that Switzerland was an immigrant-sending country in the 19th century. Due to low agricultural productivity, unstable cottage industries, and poor factory wages, many Swiss people immigrated to North and South America in search of work starting in 1850. However, some managed to amass great wealth within a few years by working on plantations in Dutch or British colonies. Today, Switzerland is one of the most difficult countries to immigrate to. 🌍 Before leaving, I felt very satisfied to have gained an understanding of Switzerland's historical context and cultural spirit at the Swiss National Museum. Beyond just enjoying the scenery and experiencing local life superficially, this museum offers a more comprehensive and refined way to absorb the country's cultural knowledge and artistic aesthetics. I believe this will deepen my understanding of Swiss art and literature in the future. 📚 #SwissNationalMuseum #ZurichTravel