Strauhof
Museum without a collection in Zurich's old town that presents literature in changing exhibitions, Wild Cards and events.
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About the museum
The Haus zum Strauhof in Zurich's old town has been documented since the 16th century; its baroque character dates back to 1772. Before the city acquired it at the end of the 19th century, it was used by craft businesses, including a printing shop.
From 1950 to 1989 the building served as the city's Kunstkammer for contemporary art. After that the Strauhof became a museum for cultural-history exhibitions, while the Helmhaus became the venue for contemporary art. In 2002 Roman Hess turned it into a literature museum, which became known for elaborately produced exhibitions about authors in the German-speaking world.
The closure announced for 2013 triggered broad controversy, and in the end literature stayed in the building. Since 2015 the non-profit association "Literaturmuseum Zürich" has run the Strauhof on behalf of the city; it reopened on 25 September 2015. The house sees itself as a place without a collection of its own that stages and communicates literature spatially.
Highlights
- Changing literature exhibitions in a baroque old-town house
- Museum without its own collection
- Wild Cards and readings as an accompanying programme
- Reading circles and educational programmes for school classes
- Open until 10 p.m. on Thursdays
- Operated by
- Verein «Literaturmuseum Zürich» (im Auftrag der Stadt Zürich)
- Director
- Rémi Jaccard
Admission & discounts
| Adults | CHF 12 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | CHF 8KulturLegi and ISIC/ITIC/IYTC |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 15 · Free admission under 16 years. |
| Visitors with disabilities | –companion free · Companions of people with disabilities have free admission. |
| Annual pass | CHF 90Free admission to all exhibitions, Wild Cards, public guided tours and events. |
Free admission with Museum Pass/Raiffeisen card, Zürich Card and VMS/ICOM card. Public guided tours cost CHF 6 plus valid admission (free with an annual pass).
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: not available
- 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 historic building is not wheelchair accessible; the museum will say on request (info@strauhof.ch) which parts of the current exhibition are accessible. Inclusive guided tours for visually impaired and blind people are in development. Companions have free admission.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Rathaus, Rennweg oder Paradeplatz
The Strauhof is located between the tram stops "Rathaus", "Rennweg" and "Paradeplatz", all less than 5 minutes on foot; from Zurich main station it is a short walk along Bahnhofstrasse and up Augustinergasse.
By car
An access permit is required for the old town from 12 noon; the nearest car park is on Uraniastrasse.
There are no bicycle racks, but there is enough space in front of the building to park bikes.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 50 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Public guided tours of about 50 minutes with a limited number of participants (registration at vermittlung@strauhof.ch). Private guided tours in German for up to 15 people: CHF 150 plus admission during opening hours, CHF 250 outside opening hours. Workshops for school classes (grades 7–10, cantonal and vocational schools) from CHF 100–150 including admission. |
