«Gardens of the World» is more than an exhibition. A broad spectrum of events – always with a reference to gardens – ensures that visiting the museum is a treat for all the senses.
Public tours of the exhibition
(Free upon purchase of an admission ticket, duration: 60 min.; unless otherwise stated, no registration necessary)
Wed, 6pm
Thu, 12.15pm
Sat, 2.30pm (90 min., incl. tour through the Rieterpark)
Sun, 11am
Public tours through the «Indian Gardens» exhibition
in the Park-Villa Rieter
Sun, 22 May, 19 June, 24 July, 28 August and 25 September, tours start at 2pm
Meeting point: Park-Villa Rieter
A market entirely dedicated to herbs: from the classics for the kitchen to wild herbs that few know of. Stallholders specialising in herbs come from all over Switzerland to sell their products here. Seedlings, bouquets, accessories for a balcony garden and all manner of products made from herbs are also on sale. When it comes to options for a coffee or light lunch, there is a fantastic choice available. Marvel at the «Transition Garden», a vertical garden several meters high. It's a place to linger and enjoy your surroundings. The market takes place in the Museum's grounds whatever the weather. The «Gardens of the World» exhibition is also open. At 11am and 2pm, there are public tours (admission ticket required). The garden workshop is open to children and adults, e.g. for sowing small pot gardens. An event in collaboration with Bioterra www.bioterra.ch
Parties have been celebrated in gardens since gardens first existed. During the last weekend of June, life outdoors is celebrated in the Rieterpark, too, as part of the «Gardens of the World» exhibition. The park contains stalls and food stands that offer variety and sustenance. Musicians from the Zurich University of the Arts are dotted around playing concert music. Little ones can enjoy the children's programme or listen to a fairytale in the Rebhäuschen cottage. A weekend of relaxing in the park, promenading and enjoying your surroundings. The Garden Party takes place whatever the weather. Brief tours through the «Gardens of the World» exhibition take place every hour (admission ticket required). The children's programme, organised by the Quartiertreff Enge, runs on both days from 2 to 6pm.
On two Sunday afternoons, 17 July and 21 August, from 2 to 5pm, a superb afternoon tea will be laid out in the Summer Pavilion. This English-inspired tea will include scones, clotted cream, mini sandwiches and tea. As a prelude to this celebratory occasion, the Museum Director, Albert Lutz, invites guests to a short tour through the exhibition. Advance ticket sales at www.starticket.ch
Any night owls who have not yet visited the garden exhibition by the end of the summer holidays have a very special opportunity to do so on Saturday 3 September. The Museum is open from 7pm to 2am and, in addition to the exhibition, offers refined culinary delights, an open-air cinema with clips from famous films that feature gardens (only in suitable weather conditions) as well as numerous brief tours through the exhibition.
The Transition Garden at the front of the Museum harbours very special secrets: some of the plants that you see here you can also find in the exhibition, on the art works. These and other backgrounds to the herbs and medicinal plants are explained in the family workshop, where visitors can create their own herb salt.
Tour through the Bonsai Garden in the former Orangery at Villa Schönberg.
Free of charge. No registration necessary. Meeting point: Bonsai workshop.
Creative workshop for old and young
Earth, pots and seeds. Add a little water and light – and that's all it takes to grow a little miniature garden to take home with you.
Age 5 and above, CHF 5 per person. No registration necessary.
Tour through the Bonsai Garden in the former Orangery at Villa Schönberg.
Free of charge. No registration necessary. Meeting point: Bonsai workshop.
A market entirely dedicated to herbs: from the classics for the kitchen to wild herbs that few know of. Stallholders specialising in herbs come from all over Switzerland to sell their products here. Seedlings, bouquets, accessories for a balcony garden and all manner of products made from herbs are also on sale. When it comes to options for a coffee or light lunch, there is a fantastic choice available. Marvel at the "Transition Garden", a vertical garden several meters high. It's a place to linger and enjoy your surroundings.
The market takes place in the Museum's grounds whatever the weather. The "Gardens of the World" exhibition is also open. At 11am and 2pm, there are public tours (admission ticket required). The garden workshop is open to children and adults, e.g. for sowing small pot gardens.
An event in collaboration with Bioterra www.bioterra.ch
A tour on the trail of spring. Including backgrounds on the flowerbeds replanted especially for this exhibition, with close reference to historical photos.
With specialists from Grün Stadt Zürich: Roger Fischer, Green Spaces Manager, Martin Keller, Villa Gardener, and Judith Rohrer, Garden Monument Conservator.
Free of charge. No registration necessary. Meeting point: in front of the Museum.
Round table on Japanese garden design. Photos by Fabian Biasio.
Free of charge. No registration necessary. Meeting point: Bonsai workshop.
Free of charge. No registration necessary. Meeting point: Park-Villa Rieter.
An excursion to watch the birds in the Rieterpark and surrounding areas.
With specialists from Grün Stadt Zürich: Roger Fischer, Green Spaces Manager, Martin Keller, Villa Gardener, Judith Rohrer, Garden Monument Conservator, and Max Ruckstuhl, Director of the Environmental Protection Department.
Free of charge. No registration necessary. Meeting point: Museum Rietberg tram stop. Bring binoculars!
The Transition Garden at the front of the Museum harbours very special secrets: some of the plants that you see here you can also find in the exhibition, on the art works. In the workshop, families can learn more about the origin and taste of herbs and medicinal plants, and create their own herb salt.
Age 5 years and over, CHF 10 per child, CHF 20 per adult, in collaboration with Veg and the City. Limited number of participants, to register call .
Round table on Japanese garden design. Photos by Fabian Biasio.
Free of charge. No registration necessary. Meeting point: Bonsai workshop.
Laurel leaves, frankincense, myrrh, rosemary: these and other naturally perfumed materials will be used to make an incense stick in the workshop.
CHF 35/25, 16 years and over. Limited number of participants, to register call .
In Japan, various ceremonies were conducted outdoors in aristocratic times, surrounded by certain plants and flowers, with the aim of fulfilling wishes. Participants take part in a once-in-a-lifetime experience, enjoying a traditional, outdoor tea ceremony in the park with Tea Mistress Soyu Mukai.
CHF 30/25, Advance ticket sales here
What's in flower? Fragrance walk through the Gardens of the World A voyage of discovery through the Museum, where old and young alike can experience a very special art work in the exhibition.
3 years and older, accompanied, CHF 15 per family. To register call .
The Transition Garden at the front of the Museum harbours very special secrets: some of the plants that you see here you can also find in the exhibition, on the art works. In the workshop, families can learn more about the origin and taste of herbs and medicinal plants, and create their own herb salt.
Age 5 years and over, CHF 10 per child, CHF 20 per adult, in collaboration with Veg and the City. Limited number of participants, to register call .
Free of charge. No registration necessary. Meeting point: Park-Villa Rieter.
What's in flower? Fragrance walk through the Gardens of the World A voyage of discovery through the Museum, where old and young alike can experience a very special art work in the exhibition.
3 years and older, accompanied, CHF 15 per family. To register call .
Parties have been celebrated in gardens since gardens first existed. During the last weekend of June, life outdoors is celebrated in the Rieterpark, too, as part of the "Gardens of the World" exhibition. The park contains stalls and food stands that offer variety and sustenance. Musicians from the Zurich University of the Arts are dotted around playing concert music. Little ones can enjoy the children's programme or listen to a fairytale in the Rebhäuschen cottage. A weekend of relaxing in the park, promenading and enjoying your surroundings.
The Garden Party takes place whatever the weather. Brief tours through the "Gardens of the World" exhibition take place every hour (start always at xx.30, admission ticket required). The children's programme, organised by the Quartiertreff Enge, runs on both days from 2pm to 6pm. You can find up-to-date details of the programme of events online at www.gaertenderwelt.ch.
Tour through the Bonsai Garden in the former Orangery at Villa Schönberg.
Free of charge. No registration necessary. Meeting point: Bonsai workshop
Parties have been celebrated in gardens since gardens first existed. During the last weekend of June, life outdoors is celebrated in the Rieterpark, too, as part of the "Gardens of the World" exhibition. The park contains stalls and food stands that offer variety and sustenance. Musicians from the Zurich University of the Arts are dotted around playing concert music. Little ones can enjoy the children's programme or listen to a fairytale in the Rebhäuschen cottage. A weekend of relaxing in the park, promenading and enjoying your surroundings.
The Garden Party takes place whatever the weather. Brief tours through the "Gardens of the World" exhibition take place every hour (admission ticket required). The children's programme, organised by the Quartiertreff Enge, runs on both days from 2pm to 6pm. You can find up-to-date details of the programme of events online at www.gaertenderwelt.ch.
Tour through the Bonsai Garden in the former Orangery at Villa Schönberg.
Free of charge. No registration necessary. Meeting point: Bonsai workshop
The pomegranate - the cult value of a fruit
"Pomegranate" is an art project by artist Nives Widauer that looks at the deeply rooted history of the pomegranate in a plethora of different cultures.
The pomegranate, because of its shape, colour and inner structure, represents fertility, love, beauty, wisdom and power. Native to the Near East and grown all over the globe, it is a quintessential element of (garden) culture, literature, ornamentation and, not least, cuisine, in a host of countries around the world. Dorothea Strauss, Executive Board Member of Omanut, leads the discussion with the artist.
The event has been initiated and is supported by Omanut, Society for thepromotion of Jewish art in Switzerland.
Park-Villa Rieter Conference Room. Free of charge. No registration necessary.
In the Japanese Tanabata tradition, also known as the Star Festival, children and adults write a wish on a strip of paper. The strips are hung on bamboo trees to make the wishes come true.
CHF 10 per adult, CHF 5 per child. No registration necessary. The event will take place whatever the weather.
The Transition Garden at the front of the Museum harbours very special secrets: some of the plants that you see here you can also find in the exhibition, on the art works. In the workshop, families can learn more about the origin and taste of herbs and medicinal plants, and create their own herb salt.
Age 5 years and over, CHF 10 per child, CHF 20 per adult, in collaboration with Veg and the City. Limited number of participants, to register call .
Co-curator and garden historian Hans von Trotha discusses the origins of the English garden that came into being during the 18th Century. So what is the theory, the idea that this quintessential garden style came from China, really about? And how has this theory survived in the handbooks until now?
Park-Villa Rieter Conference Room. Free of charge. No registration necessary.
In Japan, various ceremonies were conducted outdoors in aristocratic times, surrounded by certain plants and flowers, with the aim of fulfilling wishes. Participants take part in a once-in-a-lifetime experience, enjoying a traditional, outdoor tea ceremony in the park with Tea Mistress Soyu Mukai.
CHF 30/25, Advance ticket sales here
Round table on Japanese garden design. Photos by Fabian Biasio.
Free of charge. No registration necessary. Meeting point: Bonsai workshop
Themed tour on "Vegetation in Midsummer". With experts from Grün Stadt Zürich.
Free of charge. No registration necessary. Meeting point: in front of the Museum.
In the Villa Schönberg park. Featuring Trio ECCO(!) with Karl Leister, clarinet, Matthias Moosdorf, violoncello & Olga Gollej, piano.
In bad weather, the concerts will be held in the Kirche Enge church (Bürglistrasse 19). Information Office open from 4pm, tel. 1600, or www.chambermusic.ch. Advance ticket sales: Ticketino, tel. , www.ticketino.com, Box Office from 6.30pm.
Celebrate English garden culture in the Summer Pavilion, with scones, whipped cream, mini sandwiches and the appropriate speciality tea.
Includes a short tour with Museum Director Albert Lutz.
CHF 65/55, Advance ticket sales here
In the Villa Schönberg park. Trio Willi Zimmermann / Ruth Killius / Daniel Haefliger: string trios by Schubert, Hindemith and Mozart.
In bad weather, the concerts will be held in the Kirche Enge church (Bürglistrasse 19). Information Office open from 4pm, tel. 1600, or www.chambermusic.ch. Advance ticket sales: Ticketino, tel. , www.ticketino.com, Box Office from 6.30pm.
Free of charge. No registration necessary. Meeting point: Park-Villa Rieter.
In the Villa Schönberg park. With the Bayerische Staatsoper Ensemble: Dvorak's Piano Quintet op. 81 and more.
In bad weather, the concerts will be held in the Kirche Enge church (Bürglistrasse 19). Information Office open from 4pm, tel. 1600, or www.chambermusic.ch. Advance ticket sales: Ticketino, tel. , www.ticketino.com, Box Office from 6.30pm.
In the Villa Schönberg park. With the Freitagsakademie Bern: "Wind chimes" works for wind section by Fasch, Händel, Telemann and Zelenka.
In bad weather, the concerts will be held in the Kirche Enge church (Bürglistrasse 19). Information Office open from 4pm, tel. 1600, or www.chambermusic.ch. Advance ticket sales: Ticketino, tel. , www.ticketino.com, Box Office from 6.30pm.
In the Villa Schönberg park. With the Kalandos Ensemble: Hungarian folk music.
In bad weather, the concerts will be held in the Kirche Enge church (Bürglistrasse 19). Information Office open from 4pm, tel. 1600, or www.chambermusic.ch. Advance ticket sales: Ticketino, tel. , www.ticketino.com, Box Office from 6.30pm.
Celebrate English garden culture in the Summer Pavilion, with scones, whipped cream, mini sandwiches and the appropriate speciality tea.
Includes a short tour with Museum Director Albert Lutz.
CHF 65/55, Advance ticket sales via Starticket
What sort of jobs need to be done in a city garden in autumn? A foundation course for urban gardeners. Organisation and registration: www.vegandthecity.ch
The Transition Garden at the front of the Museum harbours very special secrets: some of the plants that you see here you can also find in the exhibition, on the art works. In the workshop, families can learn more about the origin and taste of herbs and medicinal plants, and create their own herb salt.
Age 5 years and over, CHF 10 per child, CHF 20 per adult, in collaboration with Veg and the City. Limited number of participants, to register call .
Free of charge. No registration necessary. Meeting point: Park-Villa Rieter.
What sort of jobs need to be done in a city garden in autumn? A foundation course for urban gardeners. Organisation and registration: www.vegandthecity.ch
Like a modern Noah's Ark, a fleet of spaceships harbours the last remaining plants and animals under huge glass domes, due to nature having been utterly destroyed on Earth. While the rest of the crew have doubts about their mission, the astronaut Freeman Lowell (Bruce Dern) carefully nurtures the biotope. His dedication is so deep-rooted that he disobeys his orders to terminate the project in order to save the garden from destruction.
Douglas Trumbull's visually stunning science-fiction film (previously, he was in charge of the special effects for '2001: A Space Odyssey') was seen in 1972 as a warning to look after nature.
English original version with german subtitles, 89 min
Open-air cinema with headphones plus an on-site bar before the film starts, in bad weather this will be held in the Summer Pavilion/Museum Rietberg, CHF 18, advance ticket sales via Starticket
Based on the well-known novel by Jane Austen, Joe Wright's film tells the story of the Bennet family. Mrs Bennet, the mother, is desperately seeking husbands for her five daughters and intrigue and misunderstandings abound.
England's most renowned landscaped park, Stourhead, is one of the settings for the liaisons, and forms a contrast to the unkempt gardens belonging to the middle-class Bennet family.
"Wright's film succeeds on a number of levels. Roman Osin's camera work affectionately records a bucolic landscape imbued with earthy tones, and admires the grand settings and splendid interiors. Pride and Prejudice is a blend of romantic drama, a subtly observed social study and a lively comedy." (Dietmar Kanthak, epd Film 10/2005).
Joe Wright "always allows the misery and sordidness that the Bennet sisters could succumb to should they fail to find husbands to filter through into the audience's consciousness, alongside the splendid costumes, carriages and works of art. When it comes to the actors: Keira Knightley sparkles with vivacity and finds in Matthew MacFadyen a romantic counterpart who, behind his aloofness, is proof of a seething volcano of suppressed feelings. The supporting cast is also superb: Donald Sutherland as Mr Bennet, who, with a tortured smile, lets his daughter stultify herself; and Judi Dench as the bigoted Lady de Bourgh." (Nina Scheu, Züritipp, 29.09.2025).
English original version with german subtitles, 127 min.Open-air cinema with headphones plus an on-site bar before the film starts, in bad weather this will be held in the Summer Pavilion/Museum Rietberg, CHF 18, advance ticket sales here
Split into the four seasons, the film tells the story of the life of married couple Tom and Gerri. Their hospitable home repeatedly becomes a focal point for their unlucky friends who, scarred by life's experiences, are seeking comfort. The couple finds tranquillity in their allotment, which they take great care to nurture.
"Spring, summer, autumn and winter, the cycle of the seasons is mirrored by the constantly recurring images of Tom and Gerri, hard at work in their small garden. They are the ones who cultivate and care, who bear their burden, take responsibility, and who consequently feel contented. Whether it rains, shines, blows or snows – luckily, sitting down together with a cup of tea in the allotment shed is enough to make things right." (Ulrich Sonnenschein, epd Film 1/2011)
"Mike Leigh's study of everyday life, which relies in part on improvisation by the actors, addresses the conditions for achieving contentment and happiness in life, or, rather, for failing to achieve them. It provides a fascinating, compassionate portrayal of the lively characters, who are neither prettified nor laid bare." (Jens Hinrichsen, Filmdienst 2/2011)
English original version with german subtitles, 130 min.
Open-air cinema with headphones plus an on-site bar before the film starts, in bad weather this will be held in the Summer Pavilion/Museum Rietberg, CHF 18, advance ticket sales here
Visiting an exhibition in the middle of the night – once a year, this becomes a reality and is sure to be a special experience. Further details at www.langenacht.ch
Which signs of autumn are visible in the park? Tour lead by experts from Grün Stadt Zürich: Roger Fischer, Green Spaces Manager, Martin Keller, Villa Gardener, and Judith Rohrer, Garden Monument Conservator.
Free of charge. No registration necessary. Meeting point: in front of the Museum.
God once drove Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden. People have been creating their own gardens of paradise ever since. What do they seek there? And what do they find? Why do they do this? A talk on gardens and the art of creating them, nurturing them and using them. With Countess Bettina Bernadotte, CEO of Mainau GmbH, and Christophe Girot, Professor of Landscape Architecture at ETH Zürich. Moderator: Rolf Probala.
Conference Room, Park-Villa Rieter, CHF 20/15 (half price on 07.09 upon production of an admission ticket to the Museum), advance ticket sales via Starticket
In Japan, various ceremonies were conducted outdoors in aristocratic times, surrounded by certain plants and flowers, with the aim of fulfilling wishes. Participants take part in a once-in-a-lifetime experience, enjoying a traditional, outdoor tea ceremony in the park with Tea Mistress Soyu Mukai.
CHF 30/25, Advance ticket sales here
Plants have senses. They communicate with other living creatures and with their environment. Are plants therefore intelligent? What undiscovered secrets does the natural world hide? How can we unlock these secrets and how do new findings influence our dealings with plants?
A talk about plants' astonishing capabilities and our relationship with them. With Jürg Stöcklin, Professor of Plant Ecology, and Markus Wild, Professor of Philosophy at the University of Basel, as well as Elisabeth Jacob from the Gärtnerei Blattgrün garden centre, Rifferswil.
Moderator: Rolf Probala.
Conference Room, Park-Villa Rieter, CHF 20/15 (half price on 14.09 upon production of an admission ticket to the Museum), advance ticket sales here
In Japan, autumn's harvest moon is considered to be the most beautiful moon of the whole year. As far back as a thousand years ago, this night of the harvest moon was celebrated at the Imperial Palace with music, poetry and a tea ceremony.
CHF 30/25, with Tea Mistress Soyu Mukai, advance ticket sales here
Conference on issues such as "How can green spaces and gardens contribute to a greater quality of life for older people?" "How can we address the needs of an ageing society in the midst of intensified building?" At the Institute of Natural Resource Sciences at ZHAW (School of Life Sciences and Facility Management), research into these topics has been ongoing for some time.
More information and registration:
In Japan, autumn's harvest moon is considered to be the most beautiful moon of the whole year. As far back as a thousand years ago, this night of the harvest moon was celebrated at the Imperial Palace with music, poetry and a tea ceremony.
CHF 30/25, with Tea Mistress Soyu Mukai, advance ticket sales here
Free of charge. No registration necessary. Meeting point: Park-Villa Rieter.
How do we prepare the park for winter? Tour lead by experts from Grün Stadt Zürich: Roger Fischer, Green Spaces Manager, Martin Keller, Villa Gardener, Judith Rohrer, Garden Monument Conservator, and Max Ruckstuhl, Director of the Environmental Protection Department.
Free of charge. No registration necessary. Meeting point: in front of the Museum.