Around the World in 80 Minutes

This exhibition in the Bernisches Historisches Museum invites visitors to take their minds on a journey around the globe and through the whole of human history, from the Stone Age to the present. The selection of exhibits from the museum’s depot of around 500,000 objects takes viewers on a fascinating voyage of discovery to eight destinations. They will learn exciting stories from bygone epochs and distant cultures as well as getting to view artefacts from the museum’s Historical, Numismatic, Archeological and Ethnographical collections, some of which are on display for the first time.

In an area with the look and feel of an airport lounge, visitors are informed about the eight destinations they can choose from to explore the artefacts. Their tour guides are nine Swiss artists from the fields of literature and music, who have lent their voices to the audio guides. Their gripping tales lead visitors through the display depot, which allows the public to properly experience the breadth and scope of the museum’s collection for the first time. Colored lines on the floor of the depot depict the routes, taking travelers all the way to Southeast Asia, for example, or on a tour of ancient Athens. Anecdotes, unusual objects and a peek behind the scenes provide a refreshing new museum experience – with postcards at the end of the trip included.