KULTURAMA Museum des Menschen

About the museum

The Kulturama was founded in 1978 by Paul Muggler and is considered one of the first evolution museums in the world. It was based on his books on the cultural history of humankind and the exhibitions he had previously shown throughout Switzerland. From the outset the museum focused on museum education and offers curriculum-based knowledge for school classes as well as a broad public.

In 1987 Muggler founded the non-profit Kulturama Foundation under the supervision of the Canton of Zurich and donated his collection to it. In 1996 Claudia Rütsche took over the management. By the end of 2025 the museum had run over 16,000 educational programmes, making it one of the most active museums in Switzerland.

Today the museum consists of five areas: the permanent exhibitions "Woher wir kommen" (Where We Come From; the development of life up to early cultures), "Wer wir sind" (Who We Are; the human life cycle and bodily functions) and "Wie wir lernen" (How We Learn), the adventure trail with hands-on and listening stations, and an annually changing special exhibition. The two large main exhibitions are being redesigned from 2024 to 2027, with the museum remaining open throughout.

Highlights

• Time journey from the Big Bang to early cultures in "Woher wir kommen"
• Adventure trail with touchable drawers, listening stations and a children's rally
• Permanent exhibition "Wie wir lernen" with brain specimens, tests and games
• Stone Age adventure room
• Bilingual German/English labelling in the main exhibitions

Permanent exhibitions

• Woher wir kommen – A time journey from the Big Bang through the development of animal groups to humans and their early cultures; being redesigned until 2027 and currently on view on the 1st floor.
• Wer wir sind – The life of a human being from conception to death, with bodily functions, the skeleton and the question of what makes us human; contains human remains.
• Wie wir lernen – Research findings on the brain, memory and learning strategies, with brain specimens, models, films, tests and games; in the adjacent building.

Founded

1978

Operated by

Kulturama-Stiftung

Admission & discounts

School and daycare rates per person: children up to 6 years and after-school care/daycare CHF 4, 6–16 years CHF 6, upper secondary CHF 8, in education up to 25 years CHF 10, adults CHF 12. Free admission for students, lecturers and staff of the PHZH and with the Swiss Museum Pass, Raiffeisen Museum Pass, VMS/ICOM card and Zürich Card; 50% reduction with the KulturLegi of the Canton of Zurich. Membership in the association "Freunde des Kulturama" including annual pass: individuals CHF 40, couples CHF 50, families CHF 60. Public guided tours are included in the admission price.

Accessibility

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

The main building is barrier-free (entrance via a few steps or a platform lift, doorbell outside; lift to all floors, wheelchair lift on the 1st floor). The exhibition "Wie wir lernen" in the adjacent building is not wheelchair accessible because of steps. Wheelchair-accessible toilet with changing table on the ground floor, folding stool at reception, marked assistance dogs permitted, parking space for people with disabilities in front of the main entrance. Tactile replicas of bones and organs, listening stations on the adventure trail; videos without subtitles. "Kulturama inklusiv" programme for groups and school classes. Information: Raymond Grob, +41 44 260 60 44. The museum participates in the OK:GO initiative.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities
• Kids’ birthday parties

The museum is aimed at adults, young people and children; for children, a visit from school age with adult accompaniment is recommended. The discovery tour "Stuuni" and the "Safari" on the adventure trail are included in the admission. There are also family tours, workshops, puzzle trails, children's birthday parties and holiday programmes.

Getting there & parking

The "Englischviertelstrasse" stop is about 300 metres from the museum.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Drinks and snack vending machine as well as a coffee machine with seating in the foyer; museum shop in the entrance area, also accessible without an admission ticket.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Apéro with a tour or workshop, celebrations with room rental and catering, and rooms for seminars, lectures and meetings outside opening hours; quote on request.

Plan your visit