POTATOES – HÄRDÖPFEL. TARTUFFEL. PATATA.
A Success Story

In Switzerland 300 hundred years ago the potato was called “devilry” and “saviour of the poor”. It found its distribution as ornamental plant, as cattle feed, as raw material for the infamous brandy, but also as saviour in times of need for smallholders and workers in the cottage industry. Since the years of famine the potato has become a staple food and “Rösti” (fried potatoes) a national dish. In our cultural history the seemingly simple tuber plays a fascinating role: In the planting offensive (“Anbauschlacht”) of World War II, in art and literature, in country sayings and in folk medicine, in farmer’s kitchens, in urban fast food or best-selling products of firms such as Hero or Zweifel.

With impressive objects, pictures, cooking recipes, films as well as the presentation of numerous sorts of potatoes the exhibition shows the significance of the potato in everyday life and in the changes in our diet. It reaches from the origin of the tuber in the Andes to the world food situation of today and also includes the local peculiarities of the potato in Graubünden.

In the first room to the left it shows how the potato got to Europe from South America and how it gradually also spread across Switzerland. Beside the different possible uses as food and provider of starch, problems are also raised such as the “potato-brandy plague” and potato diseases. In the second, small room a quiz brings to light surprising facts about this multifaceted tuber. The next room is dedicated to the potato in agriculture and its processing in the kitchen. Finally in the room to the right of the entrance finished products as well as old potato varieties are introduced. A gallery in the first room shows the potato in works by prominent artists. To round up the exhibition a trick film is shown about the “history of the wonderful potato”.

Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm, closed Monday

Accompanying Events in German >