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A girl with low-vision glasses works intently on a worksheet - an impressive insight into the world of visually impaired people.
Two children with dark glasses and a long cane playfully explore the barrier course at the Museum for the Blind - an exciting experience for more understanding in everyday life.

Swiss Blindenmuseum (Museum of Blindness)

The Swiss Museum of Blindness in Zollikofen takes visitors on a journey through 200 years of blindness education using exhibits, a dark room and a workshop.

Useful information

  • Canton of Bern
  • Museums and galleries
  • Museum Card
  • KulturLegi
  • Guided tours
  • Audio guide

Visitors are immediately immersed in a unique visual experience. The foyer is kept completely grey, which is in contrast to the colourful world outside. The tour of the museum begins with six video portraits of people who are blind and visually impaired – all in grey as well, of course. The change in your perception becomes even more noticeable in the dark room. With your sight taken away, the focus immediately shifts to other senses: hearing in the audio experience with sound installations, and touch in the hands-on tactile activity.

The picture shows an exhibition room of the Swiss Museum for the Blind with large-format portrait photographs. People are looking at the works, which are presented illuminated on individual steles. The atmosphere is calm and reflective as the visitors engage with the expressive images.
© Schweizerisches Blindenmuseum

Your sense of sight can be used again as you enter the main exhibition – in another room – but it’s not necessary because the 120 objects on display are designed to be handled, making them accessible to people who are blind and visually impaired as well. With the help of their sense of touch, visitors can discover Braille and other technical developments, for example.

The picture shows a bright, modern exhibition room at the Swiss Museum for the Blind with a wooden ceiling and numerous exhibits on tables and walls. Graphics or photos are presented on one wall, while various models and interactive stations can be seen in the room. The atmosphere is calm and informative, with a focus on education and discovery.
© Schweizerisches Blindenmuseum

Do you want to learn Braille or try to write with a Braille typewriter? The final part of the exhibition is a workshop where you can really satisfy your curiosity. The diverse materials and information enable visitors to have first-hand experiences and learn more about the world of blindness. Your sense of smell will also be challenged when trying to identify and categorise different scents. Definitely an all-encompassing sensory experience!

The standard tour is offered in German, French, English and Italian.

Useful information

  • Canton of Bern
  • Museums and galleries
  • Museum Card
  • KulturLegi
  • Guided tours
  • Audio guide
  • Art & culture

Location

Höheweg 10
3052 Zollikofen

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