Archaeological Collection at the University of Zurich

The Archaeological Collection at the University of Zurich was founded in 1854. Initially conceived as a the University’s and Polytechnic’s collection of plaster casts of important ancient sculptures, the 1860s also witnessed the beginning of the establishment of a systematic study collection of ancient original works. Today, on the ground floor of the Institute of Archaeology—a representative building in the Neo-Renaissance style designed by Semper student Otto Weber—it presents itself as one of the most important Swiss collections of art and crafts from ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, from ancient Asia Minor, Greece and Italy, especially Etruria and Rome.

On the first floor and in the basement of the house, the rich collection of plaster casts of ancient statues offers a comprehensive overview of Greek and Roman sculpture.