Rietberg Zurich
Art Collection in historic mansion
A short walk or tram ride from Bahnhof Enge, you'll find one of Switzerland’s largest art museums in a beautiful setting, including various 19th-century mansions and a splendid park.
Dedicated to different kinds of non-European art, Museum Rietberg was initially based on a donation by banker Edouard von der Heyd, who bequeathed his collection of Asian art to the city of Zürich. It now includes over 30,000 objects from Asia, America, Africa, and Oceania, emphasizing Zürich’s cosmopolitan nature and the diversity of global art. This is based on von der Heydt’s idea of 'ars una,' an egalitarian concept of art that transcends cultural differences and local origins.
The museum opened in 1952 in Villa Wesendonck, which was finished in 1857 for silk the trader Wesendonck. The Wesendoncks hosted artists and scientists, including Richard Wagner. During this time, Mathilde Wesendonck and Wagner became friends and wrote many letters. Some people think a love affair had developed. In any case, the exchange impacted Wagner's work. Inspired by their unfulfillable love, he finalized his famous opera Tristan and Isolde.
Later, the building was significantly extended underground, and the "Smaragt" extension opened in 2007. Smaragd is also the venue for new temporary exhibitions, such as last year’s “Kimono – Kyoto to catwalk”.
Surrounding Rieterpark is Zurich's largest landscape garden with over 70,000m2 space. On clear days, you see as far as the Alps. The greenhouse of Villa Wesendonck, which was also the setting for Richard Wagners songs, is home to a fine self-service café where homemade dishes are served.
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