Fondation Martin Bodmer

About the museum

Zurich bibliophile Martin Bodmer (1899–1971) built a library of world literature starting in 1919, which he transferred to Cologny after his move to Geneva. The 'Bibliotheca Bodmeriana' was inaugurated in 1951 and was initially primarily a place for research and individual visits. Shortly before his death in 1971, Bodmer bequeathed his collection of more than 150,000 items from around 80 cultures to a foundation; in 2015 UNESCO added the Bibliotheca Bodmeriana to its 'Memory of the World' register.

Bodmer conceived his library as a museum early on, but planning for a dedicated exhibition building did not begin until 1999. Architect Mario Botta designed the museum, which opened on 21 November 2003. A further expansion that doubled the vault space underground, created a restoration studio and redesigned reception was inaugurated in 2020.

The newly designed permanent exhibition guides through five thousand years of human history, from the invention of writing to masterpieces of modern thinking. It shows about 250 books and objects, nearly 80 percent of them shown publicly for the first time, including papyri, manuscripts, artworks and archaeological items. Among the treasures are papyrus fragments from Homer's Odyssey, a letter from Jean-Jacques Rousseau to d'Alembert and an illustrated Don Quixote edition from the 18th century. The library itself is open only to researchers.

Highlights

• Papyrus fragments from Homer's Odyssey (2nd century BCE)
• About 250 books and objects from five millennia of writing history
• 'Great Book', monumental replica of a medieval manuscript with touchscreen
• Museum building by Mario Botta (2003)
• Bibliotheca Bodmeriana, UNESCO 'Memory of the World' register

Permanent exhibition

• Dauerausstellung – fünf Jahrtausende Schrift und Denken – About 250 books and objects, from papyri through medieval manuscripts to modern first editions, accompanied by the 'Great Book' with touchscreen.

Founded

2003

Operated by

Fondation Martin Bodmer

Director

Jacques Berchtold

Admission & discounts

Free admission: On the first Wednesday of the month (evening opening until 21:00) admission is free.

Free admission also for children and young people under 18, students from Geneva, with Geneva Pass, Raiffeisen card, Swiss Museum Pass (PMS), AMS, DIP Genevois, ICOM, for the press and for residents of Cologny.

Accessibility

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

The museum calls itself accessible to people with disabilities; detailed accessibility form available from Culture-Accessible Geneva. Exhibition rooms are maintained at 18 to 19 degrees.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Playful discovery trails on the history of writing for children ages 7 to 12 (leaflet and flashlight at cashier), an Egypt trail for 8 to 12 years as well as family workshops and themed tours. Children under 18 have free admission.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop (books and reproductions), also online.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Rooms are available for half days, full days or evenings; the entire foundation can be privatized for events.

Plan your visit