NMB Neues Museum Biel

About the museum

The NMB was formed in 2012 from the merger of Biel's two museums, Schwab and Neuhaus. The Museum Schwab goes back to the bequest of the lake-dwelling researcher Friedrich Schwab, who left his collection to the city in 1865. A dedicated museum building with a rotunda, designed by Friedrich Ludwig von Rütte, was built between 1871 and 1873; it first served as a multidisciplinary museum and, from 1947, was a purely archaeological museum.

The Museum Neuhaus moved into the former buildings of the Verdan-Neuhaus indienne (printed cotton) factory. Dora Neuhaus bequeathed the properties for a future museum; the Musée Robert opened in the west wing in 1983, and the restored manufacturer's residence became accessible in 1985. From 1992 to 1995 the entire row of houses was converted into a multidisciplinary museum, which also incorporated the Robert Collection, the Karl and Robert Walser Collection and the Cinécollection.

Following a reorganisation of Biel's museum landscape, the Neues Museum Biel began operating on 20 October 2012. Archaeology was moved to Haus Neuhaus, while Haus Schwab is used for large special exhibitions. The museum is run consistently bilingually and holds the label for bilingualism. The permanent exhibitions tell, in “thematic islands”, of Biel and water, the Röstigraben, or the city's connections to the world.

Highlights

• Thematic islands such as “Biel and Water” and “Biel and the World”
• Interactive city model of Biel at a scale of 1:1000
• RobLab with around 3,000 works by the Robert family of painters
• Restored manufacturer's residence illustrating middle-class home life in the 19th century
• Bilingual museum in two buildings on the Schüsspromenade

Permanent exhibitions

• Biel und die Welt – Ten “beacon objects” lead to Biel's connections with the world through goods, money and ideas, which still shape its economy and culture today.
• Biel und das Wasser – The thematic island shows how water, the Schüss and the Jura Water Correction have shaped the city.
• Biel auf einen Blick – An animated city model made of wood and cork at a scale of 1:1000 with the interactive module “Where is my house?”.

Founded

2012

Admission & discounts

Free admission for members of the Friends of the NMB association and with the Swiss Museum Pass, Museums-PASS-Musées, Raiffeisen card with member marking, VMS/AMS, ICOM and Berufsverband Bildung Bern. With the combined ticket together with the Kunsthaus Biel, admission is CHF 4 cheaper.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• 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

Both buildings are wheelchair accessible (lift) and have accessible toilets.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

The bilingual children's club is aimed at 5- to 11-year-olds and takes place alternately at the NMB and the Kunsthaus Biel. There are also holiday pass courses, children's birthday parties and the game case about Kim the Crab for children aged 4 and over.

Getting there & parking

About 12 minutes' walk from Biel railway station.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Museum café with garden (iced tea, syrup, beer, light meals) at the entrance in the hinge building; pétanque sets available against a deposit at the ticket desk; museum shop. “Entrée” is an open space for reading, meeting and working, free of charge and with no obligation to consume.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 80 guests.

Rentable spaces include Saal Robert (up to 80 seats), Kleiner Salon, the gallery, the cultural education studio and the park for receptions and wedding receptions; surcharge outside opening hours and on Mondays.

Plan your visit