Baron Eduard von der Heydt donated his private art collection to the city and citizens of Zurich in the late 1940s. To accommodate the extensive collection, it was decided that the Villa Wesendonck should be transformed into a museum. The Museum Rietberg of the City of Zurich opened to the public in 1952.
Today, visitors can find an extended version of the original museum, which increased its exhibition space by 125% by adding an underground wing that connected to the original museum without disrupting its exterior. The collection includes masterpieces from around the world, such as a ceramic figure of a Huari dignitary from the Andes, an ikat silk sari from India, and a 3rd-century drinking vessel from the Mayan lowlands. Though the public tours of the museum are conducted in German, visitors can request a private tour in English or in French. There is also a craft studio for children, adults, and families, where visitors can learn more about art and get artsy themselves.
Rietberg Museum, Gablerstrasse 15, 8002 Zürich, Switzerland, Phone: 4-14-44-15-31-31