National Museum Zurich

Built to look like a castle, with towers, turrets and courtyards, the National Museum Zurich (Landesmuseum Zürich on signs) stands beside Zurich's main railway station. Gustav Gull designed the original building, which opened in 1898. A modern extension by the architects Christ & Gantenbein, opened in 2016, now adjoins it and adds a strikingly different angular wing.

Inside, the museum tells the story of Switzerland and the land it occupies, from prehistoric finds to the present day. Visitors find archaeology, religious art, furniture, costume and everyday objects, as well as historic wood-panelled rooms rebuilt from older Swiss houses. The arms and armour collection is displayed in the grand Hall of Arms, beneath Ferdinand Hodler's frescoes of the retreat from Marignano.

The museum is the flagship of the Swiss National Museum group and draws around 300,000 visitors a year. It suits anyone curious about Swiss history and culture, and its range of collections fills several hours.