Basel is supposed to have a top-notch art museum, but since I had already been to four art museums on this trip I didn't feel like doing another one. My cousin recommended the toy museum for a change of pace. It turned out to be a delightful option. It has four floors of teddy bears, dolls, doll houses and miniatures, and is the largest museum of its kind in Europe.
Many of the teddy bears were manufactured by Steiff, a German company that has been making plush animals since the late 1800s. Their antique bears are collectors' items.
There is a large collection of dolls from all over the world.
There are miniature scenes of all kinds of shops and village scenes.
What a delightful experience!
ReplyDeleteIt was a fun change of pace. As much as I love art, I was ready to see something different.
DeleteI hope we're in Basel long enough next year to visit this museum. The Strong Museum in Rochester is similar; one woman's collection of toys begun when she traveled with her parents as a child.
ReplyDeleteThis museum is takes up several floors. It was much bigger than I expected.
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