Compare Chinese artifacts from over 1,000 years ago with some of the most cutting-edge designs in Sweden’s only museum dedicated to arts and crafts.
Visit the Röhsska Museum for Design, Fashion and Decorative Arts, the only one of its kind in Sweden. Go on a journey of nostalgia with fashions and designs of the 20th century and compare these with the formal styles from the 18th century. In a section dedicated to the Far East, ancient Chinese artifacts show the amazing level of craftsmanship achieved over 1,000 years ago.
The Röhsska Museum was established in 1916 and has never stopped growing. Over 50,000 examples of textiles, glass, ceramics and fashion from important eras are grouped together. This helps to highlight the enormous differences between the various regions and periods.
Don’t miss the impressive marble lions from the Ming Dynasty which flank the building’s entrance. Inside, in the hall dedicated to local craftsmanship, see why Swedish furniture designers are considered among the best in the world.
A real highlight is the first floor, where numerous designs and objects that characterise every decade of the 20th century are guaranteed to bring back memories: from funky-colored furniture of the ‘70s to political slogans on punk-style T-shirts of the ‘80s.
On the third floor, see treasures like buddhas, Japanese theatre masks, and delicate1,000-year-old Chinese pottery in the Far East exhibit.
A good look around the museum takes about two hours. A café serves refreshments. The museum is located on Avenyn, Gothenburg’s main street, in the city centre. Parking is limited and expensive in this area, so the museum is best reached on foot or by tram.
The Röhsska Museum for Design, Fashion and Decorative Arts is closed on Mondays and major public holidays. Adults 25 and over pay a small fee for entry, but the ticket is for unlimited visits during the rest of the year. Note that some rotating exhibitions cost more. The museum offers guided tours, events, film screenings and workshops so check the website for more details if you are interested in those activities.
