Bündner Kunstmuseum

About the museum

The Bündner Kunstmuseum has its historic core in the Villa Planta, which the merchant Jacques Ambrosius von Planta had built in 1874/75 as a neoclassical residence. Orientalising details such as sphinxes, Pompeian paintings and a Byzantine-style painted dome recall his career in Alexandria. After the sale to the Rhaetian Railway, the Canton of Graubünden rented the house for cultural purposes from 1919; it acquired it in 1957.

Over the decades the house was converted into an art museum. In 1927 the natural history collections moved to a neighbouring building and later to a new building, so that the Sulser building could be connected to the villa by a footbridge as exhibition space. After nearly three years of restoration under Peter Zumthor, Peter Calonder and Hans-Jörg Ruch, the museum reopened in early 1990. Because the growing collection needed more space, the Barcelona firm Estudio Barozzi/Veiga won the competition in 2011 for an extension that forms an ensemble with the villa and is connected to it underground.

The collection reflects the cultural situation of Graubünden between mountain landscape, emigration and tourism: its main focuses are Angelika Kauffmann, Graubünden art, Expressionism with Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, the Giacometti family of artists, photography and contemporary art. In the extension and the villa, representative parts of the collection are on permanent display in changing constellations, alongside temporary exhibitions. The museum café is located in the villa's former salon.

Highlights

• Villa Planta of 1874/75 with orientalising details
• Extension by Estudio Barozzi/Veiga (2016)
• Collection focuses on Angelika Kauffmann, the Giacometti family and Graubünden art
• Expressionism with Kirchner, photography and contemporary art
• Museum café in the villa, named one of the most beautiful cafés in Switzerland

Permanent exhibitions

• Sammlungspräsentation – Representative parts of the collection in changing constellations, with a focus on Angelika Kauffmann, Graubünden art, Expressionism, the Giacometti family of artists, photography and contemporary art.
• Villa Planta und Erweiterungsbau – A tour of the neoclassical villa with its orientalising details and the new building by Barozzi/Veiga, connected underground.

Founded

1919

Operated by

Kanton Graubünden (Amt für Kultur)

Director

Stephan Kunz (künstlerischer Direktor)

Admission & discounts

The price depends on whether temporary exhibitions are running: with a temporary exhibition, adults CHF 15 and reduced CHF 12; without one, CHF 10 and CHF 8 respectively (the lower price is entered). Free for members of the Bündner Kunstverein, with special passes (e.g. ICOM) and for school classes from the Canton of Graubünden; reduced for cooperation partners such as KulturLegi.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description: no information

The museum is barrier-free: all rooms are wheelchair accessible and reachable by lift, and the toilets are accessible. Wheelchairs and walkers can be borrowed at the reception desk in the foyer. Guide dogs with harness are permitted, some events are interpreted into sign language, and the audio guide is available in Easy Language. A designated disabled parking space is located opposite the main entrance (corner of Grabenstrasse/Kauffmannstrasse). With advance registration at kasse@bkm.gr.ch or +41 81 257 28 70, individual support will be arranged.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

For children aged 6 and over there is the free discovery plan "CUC" (German, Romansh, Italian) and a children's city map for the three Chur cantonal museums. The art education programme offers children's studios for ages 6–8 and 9–12, an Atelier rumantsch and the SonntagsAtelier (Sunday studio); a children's vernissage takes place in December. According to the website, children's birthday parties are currently not available.

Getting there & parking

By car, take the Chur Nord or Chur Süd exits towards the city centre; the main entrance is around the corner on Grabenstrasse.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

The museum café in the former salon of the Villa Planta (Tuesday to Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) serves regional products and a breakfast brunch at weekends; it was named by Gault&Millau as one of the most beautiful cafés in Switzerland. Museum shop and web shop.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

For companies, associations and families: personal guided tours, workshops in the studio and catering by the museum café (aperitif, cocktail riche, lunch, dinner); enquiries via the secretariat.

Plan your visit