exhibitions

At the Gothenburg City Museum, there’s a peculiar gold and enamel box. It’s a beautiful item, with hair set behind glass. Inside the box, there’s a handwritten note saying that the item belonged to Axel von Fersen and that the hair comes from one of history’s most famous people, Marie Antoinette. But could this really be true?

The exhibition takes us back to a Gothenburg of the 20th century, offering glimpses of places that have strongly influenced the city’s history.

Experience a city in motion, dramatic stories and iconic objects in our four permanent exhibitions about Gothenburg’s history. A journey through time, from the mystery of the medieval silver heart to the world’s first Volvo.

In our permanent exhibition about 20th century Gothenburg, you get to revel in our most beloved, hated and iconic Gothenburg objects and discover new sides of the city.

Join us on a journey through history and get to know the very first Gothenburgers, try out 1600s-style social media, listen to the popular music of the times and help to solve the mystery of who wore the Silver Heart ornament around their neck!

Join us on a journey of a city in transformation! Gothenburg is full of life and movement and is characterized by new ideas, influences and experiences from abroad.

The exhibition has been updated with new items, including a peculiar gold and enamel snuffbox with a incredibly exciting history!

Gothenburg was one of the most dynamic cities in the 1800s. Follow its development and residents during an exciting era! Among the century settlers, enterprising businessmen, there are several wholesalers with foreign names.

Between Oden and Christ
A farmer digging a drainage ditch by the river Göta älv, suddenly stumbled upon, what would later prove to be a Viking ship. See the unique Äskekärrsship and follow the exciting story of the Vikings.

During 12,000 years, there have been people in the western Swedish environment. How did people live so long ago, and what traces are left? Meet the Rolfsåkers-man from the stone age and see objects unearthed from this period.

In the 1960s and ’70s, a pioneering and radical generation of performing artists stepped into the limelight. Young people crushed traditions, challenged conventions and changed the rules of the game for the future performing arts scene in Gothenburg.

In an 18th century cellar vault we open a new exhibition comprising valuable, unique objects from the museum’s collections – objects rarely shown to the public. Diamond rings and coins of solid gold are displayed next to useless bits of wood and worn-out shoes.

Signhild Häller (1896-1978) was a diligent artist, creating patterns for textiles, embroidering in silk, and writing both poetry and novels. Signhild Häller’s doll’s cabinet shows several different crafts – and work environments from the past, in miniature.

Urbanum is a meeting place for anyone who wants to take a fresh look at the city. Join us on a journey which starts before Gothenburg even existed. Meet today’s enthusiasts, see historic films and hang out in our cosy reading corner.