Switzerland Guide
Bern
Schweizerisches Alpines Museum
The Schweizerisches Alpines Museum is surprisingly good, taking an intelligent, sensitive look at all aspects of life in the mountains, from tourism, the history of mountaineering and the social identity of mountain dwellers to surveys of Alpine flora and fauna and the impact of industry on the mountain environment. There's plenty to play with and read up on (in English). Crowded all over the museum are dozens of examples of relief mapmaking gone berserk, with mountains, whole valley systems and complete Swiss ranges rendered in perfect scale detail, almost rock by rock, by enthusiasts whose energy and patience can only be imagined.
Opening time: Mon 2–9pm, Tues– Sun 10am–5pm
Price: Fr.9
Website: www.alpinesmuseum.ch