Antikenmuseum Basel und Sammlung Ludwig
Switzerland's largest collection of antiquities with Greek vases, Egyptian art and Roman sculptures in historic city houses.
No sound? Check your device’s silent switch.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Basel Museum of Ancient Art was founded in 1961 when influential figures from business and politics donated their select antiquities collection to the canton of Basel-Stadt. The house opened in 1966 in classicist city houses by architect Melchior Berri on St. Alban-Graben, opposite the Art Museum; a modern skylight hall complements them. The sculpture hall with its plaster casts, originally a university teaching collection, came under the new museum in 1961.
A decisive expansion came in 1981 with the donation of collector Peter Ludwig's antiquities collection; since the reopening in 1986, the house has borne the name 'Basel Museum of Ancient Art and Ludwig Collection'. Another Berri building was added. In 2001, the Egypt section was opened under the courtyard; in 2002, the department 'Orient, Cyprus and Early Greece', based on two private collections.
Today the museum presents culture from around 5000 years in the Mediterranean region: Egypt, the Near East, Greece, Etruria and Rome, from 4000 BCE to 400 CE. It is internationally known for its Greek vase collection, whose rooms were completely renovated and thematically reorganized from 2022 to late summer 2024. The museum is supported by the canton of Basel-Stadt; for new acquisitions and redesigns it depends on foundations and donors.
Highlights
- World-renowned Greek vase collection, newly organized in four permanent exhibitions
- Egypt section with approx. 600 objects, mummies and children's path
- Skylight hall with Greek and Roman sculptures
- 'World of the Etruscans' in six rooms
- Roman barrel vault and bistro in Berri house with courtyard
- Sculpture garden on Mergelplatz (free admission)
Permanent exhibitions
- Ägypten. 3000 Jahre Hochkultur am Nil – About 600 objects in six themed areas on 550 m², with children's path, audio guide and audiovisual stations.
- Welt der Griechen und Schätze der Sammlung – The vase collection from a new perspective, plus around 50 masterpieces of Greek ceramics and a room on provenance research.
- Welt der Etrusker – Six rooms on Etruscan culture, which flourished in the 6th and 5th centuries BCE.
- Founded
- 1961
- Operated by
- Kanton Basel-Stadt
- Director
- Andrea Bignasca
Admission & discounts
| Adults | CHF 12 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | CHF 5People under 20 years as well as people in training under 30 years |
| Children & teens | CHF 5free up to age 12 · Children under 13 have free admission; people under 20 pay CHF 5. |
| Students & apprentices | CHF 5People in training under 30 years. |
| Groups (10+ people) | CHF 10 per personGroups of 10+ people, price per person. |
Free admission: Free admission every Thursday and Friday from 17:00 as well as Saturdays and Sundays all day.
According to the museum, the following also have free admission: holders of the Museums-PASS-Musées and Swiss Museum Pass, Colour-Key cards as well as refugees with ID N, F or B. The sculpture garden is freely accessible.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The museum is accessible by wheelchair; a loan wheelchair can be reserved by phone (for evening events, registration at +41 61 267 01 12 is desired). For visually impaired people, there are audio tours, tours in sign language can be requested, assistance dogs are allowed.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 12 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Hands-on stations
- Kids’ birthday parties
Children's path in the Egypt exhibition, workshops (modeling clay, plaster casts, hieroglyphics, etc.) for school classes, families and associations as well as birthday parties; family events in the calendar.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Bankverein
From SBB station with tram 2, 8, 10 or 11 to 'Bankverein'.
By car
Parking available
Parking 'Art Museum' directly at the museum.
Amenities & dining
- Café
- Restaurant
Bistro in Berri house with lunch and dinner as well as coffee and cake (Mon 11–14, Tue/Wed 11–17, Thu/Fri 11–22, Sat/Sun 11:30–16 hrs with reduced offer); table reservation online or at +41 61 267 01 30.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
- Weddings / ceremonies
Up to 250 guests.
Rooms for 4 to 250 people: bistro rooms, courtyard, skylight hall, Egypt hall, Roman barrel vault, seminar room and sculpture hall. Inquiries via the form or +41 61 267 01 60.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes (DE, FR, EN) |
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Photography is only permitted in the permanent collection and only for private use, without tripod, flash or lamps; special exhibitions have a photography ban. |
| Good to know | Free audio tours ('Egypt', '101 Masterpieces', 'Greek Myths') run on your own smartphone, bring headphones. Request private tours at +41 61 267 01 46, public tours are listed in the event calendar. Workshops for school classes (2 hours, free for schools from Basel-Stadt and Basel-Landschaft, otherwise CHF 180). |
