Antikenmuseum Basel

The Antikenmuseum Basel und Sammlung Ludwig (Basel Museum of Ancient Art and Ludwig Collection) is the oldest and only museum in Switzerland devoted exclusively to the ancient art and culture of the Mediterranean world. Founded in 1961, it brings together objects from Egypt, Greece, Etruria, Rome, and the Near East, spanning the fourth millennium B.C. to the sixth century A.D. The focus is on the period from 1000 B.C. to A.D. 300. Here you can admire valuable holdings such as Greek vases, sculptures, bronze statuettes, and gold jewelry. A special draw is the affiliated Skulpturhalle (Sculpture Hall), which displays plaster casts of famous works, including the Parthenon Frieze. The museum is housed in a neoclassical residence from the 1820s, which was later expanded with a modern skylit hall and additional rooms. This architectural blend of historic building fabric and contemporary exhibition space creates an impressive setting for the presentation of around two thousand exhibits, which originally came from private collections and now offer a comprehensive picture of Mediterranean antiquity.