Lakes, Mirrors of Switzerland

Everyone in Switzerland has their lake.

From large expanses of water to small mountain tarns, Switzerland’s 1,500 or so lakes shape its landscape as well as its collective imagination. As the ‘water tower of Europe‘, Switzerland has developed around its water bodies, which have played a key part in the country’s economic, social and cultural evolution.

Based on the Swiss National Library’s collection, the exhibition Lakes, Mirrors of Switzerland invites you to dive into the country’s history and myths – from the founding legend to modern tales, and from the tradition of open-air swimming to the construction of dams and reservoirs. Switzerland’s ubiquitous lakes have always been a source of inspiration for artists and writers, giving rise to a shared heritage, where nature meets culture.

Like the snowy mountain peaks, the crystal-clear waters of Switzerland’s lakes convey the image of a clean, idyllic Swiss landscape, which has also become a key tourist attraction. The exhibition invites visitors to embark on a journey and to contemplate, and allows them to (re-) discover Switzerland’s lakes as mirrors of the country’s identity. 

Collateral events

Exhibition preview
12.3.2026, 6pm
Public
With author Daniel de Roulet

Museumsnacht
20.3.2026, from 6pm to 2am
Activities on the topic of lakes for young and old

Public tours
22.4.2026, 5.30pm
Tour of the exhibition with curator Benjamin Michelet (in French)

28.4.2026, 5.30pm
‘Sehnsuchtsbilder. Idyllische Postkarten und Retro-Poster’ (tour on idyllic postcards and retro posters in German)

Come and discover idyllic postcards and retro posters from the Swiss National Library and charming souvenirs in the Swiss Alpine Museum ALPS. This guided tour takes a look at images of lakes and tourist sites, which are photographed and ‘marketed‘ today in the same way as they have always been.

In partnership with the ALPS, admission: CHF 20.
The tour starts in the ALPS.

Registration: ALPS

TANZFEST, performance ‘A SEC !’
8.5.2026, 5.30pm
Before the performance there will be a tour of the exhibition with curator Bejamin Michelet (in German).

Literary evening
20.5.2026, 6pm
Robert Walser’s ‘Seeland’ (in german).
Literary evening with Barbara Piatti, Monique Schwitter and Reto Sorg in collaboration with the Robert Walser Centre

 

Opening hours
From 12 march 2026 to 5 June 2026
Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm

Private tours can be requested by emailing: kultur@nbnb.admin.ch 

 

 

 

 

Opening times

  • Monday
    • 09:00 - 18:00
  • Tuesday
    • 09:00 - 18:00
  • Wednesday
    • 09:00 - 18:00
  • Thursday
    • 09:00 - 18:00
  • Friday
    • 09:00 - 18:00
  • Saturday
    • closed
  • Sunday
    • closed

Admission prices

Free admission

Location

Duration

–

Organizer

More information / Tickets at:

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