Museum of Cultures, Basel

The Museum of Cultures Basel (Museum der Kulturen Basel) is a premier Swiss ethnographic institution located in the heart of Basel, on Münster Hill. Renowned for its extensive and diverse collection of artifacts, it showcases cultural treasures from Europe, the South Pacific, Mesoamerica, Tibet, and Bali. Recognized as a Swiss heritage site of national significance, the museum holds about 300,000 objects and an equally impressive archive of historic photographs, making it the largest of its kind in Switzerland and one of the most prominent in Europe.

The Museum of Cultures in Basel originated in the 1840s as the Museum of Natural History and Ethnography. In 1849, it moved to a Neoclassical building by Melchior Berri, formerly an Augustinian monastery. The ethnographic collection became independent in 1917, sharing the space with the Natural History Museum. After sponsoring global expeditions in the early 20th century, it was renamed the Museum of Ethnology and the Swiss Museum of Folklore in 1944. Reflecting its intercultural focus, it adopted its current name in 1996.

Among its notable collections are the ancient Mexican ceramics and statues acquired in 1844 through Basel collector Lukas Vischer, representing one of Europe's most significant assemblages of ancient American art. Its exhibitions have spotlighted exceptional Asian and Oceanian artifacts, with showcases on Bhutan (1998), Tibet (2001), and Bali (2002). The museum also serves the local Basel-City canton by preserving and documenting regional cultural heritage, including the famed Basel Carnival (Fasnacht).

With its dynamic programming and dedication to cultural exchange, the Museum of Cultures Basel continues to be a pivotal institution for understanding and celebrating human diversity.