Museums: Historical

At the heart of the charming medieval old town of Fribourg - just a few steps from the Espace Jean Tinguely / Niki de Saint-Phalle - the museum of art and history invites you on diverse journeys of discovery. And very few people know that the Musée d'Art et d'Histoire houses the largest collection of sculptures of Switzerland.

The Diemtigtal valley is celebrated for its magnificent rural dwellings, and you can see some of the finest along the marked Diemtigtal House Trail. The details are particularly impressive: intricate carving, delicate paintings and elaborate compositions of form and colour that adorn the wooden façades underneath the massive roofs.

The Museum of the Swiss Charters of Confederation exhibits the most important documents from the history of the Old Swiss Confederation and explains their meaning. The focal point is the legendary Federal Charter of 1291.

Waldegg Castle is rightly considered the most beautiful country manor of the Solothurn patriciate. Here, where ambassadors and the aristocracy once went in and out, visitors can immerse in the same bygone world today - and learn of a time when Solothurn was the seat of the French ambassadors with the aid of a modern, multimedia guide.

The Roman Mosaics of Orbe consist of eight magnificent mosaic floors that decorated a Gallic-Roman estate dating back to the year 170. The mosaics give the visitor an inkling of the enormous wealth of the lord of the manor and gentleman farmer, whose villa had more than 100 rooms.

The History Museum is dedicated to the history of the city and region of Baden. The museum runs guided tours and workshops for schools and groups, and organises true-to-life exhibitions and family events.

The Swiss Children's Museum is a lively meeting place for exchange between cultures and generations, and of interest to both young and old. Children and adults look, marvel, experiment, play and create together.

Ducal fortresse (XIV) restored by the architect Aurelio Galfetti in 1980-1991.

Once upon a time a dragon lived on the hill. It was slain by two noble knights, Wolfram and Guntram, who henceforth were allowed to live on Dragon Mountain. Legend has it that this is how Lenzburg Castle, one of the most important hilltop castles in Switzerland, came to be.

Since 1648, when it was completed, Freuler Palace has been most famous building in Canton Glarus. Freuler Palace has housed the Glarus Regional Museum since 1946. The museum boasts numerous fascinating exhibitions and interesting museums.

The Basel Historical Museum with its three sites is widely regarded as the most important museum of cultural history on the Upper Rhine. It collects, conserves, records and researches objects and artefacts of relevance to our cultural heritage for future generations, tells visitors the story of Basel, and is a place for discourse and engagement with both present and future.

This international award-winning museum offers a rich variety of insights into castle life over the last 800 years.

The BAUD Museum is a paradise for lovers of mechanical musical instruments. The unique collection was created by a family of enthusiasts whose passion has also been their craft and profession for three generations.

Soldiers dying by the wayside, civilian refugees with their entire possessions and an army that gives up its weapons at the Swiss border: the Bourbaki-Panorama is simultaneously witness to the history of the media and of war in the 19th century.

The Abbey of St. Gall has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1983, and has plenty of impressive treasures just waiting to be discovered in its library, vaulted cellar and new exhibition hall.

"The Swiss National Museum Zurich received a modern extension with the impressive new building. Behind its over 100-year-old walls, history comes to life as visitors gain an insight into how previous generations lived, thought and felt.

The Espace Jean Tinguely - Niki de Saint Phalle is a stroke of luck: In the high-ceilinged rooms of the disused tram depot in the heart of town, the rattling work of art by Fribourg-born Jean Tinguely is a great sight to see. Similarly, the lush "Nanas" (female sculptures) by his wife Niki de Saint Phalle delight the eye too.

The headquarters of the famous watchmaker IWC lies on the outskirts of the Old Town of Schaffhausen, directly on the Rhine River. A stylish museum in the elegant historic building takes visitors on a trip through time and the world of legendary watch models.

The Thal Watch Museum invites visitors to time travel through 250 years of the history of Thal watchmaking. The exhibition is spread over two floors and shows amazingly rare objects.

The “Pharmacy museum” contains collections of old pharmaceuticals, pharmacy furniture, laboratory utensils, ceramics, instruments, books, art- and craftwork. The museum is situated in the old house “Zum Vorderen Sessel”, where the famous humanist Erasmus and the alchemist Paracelsus once dwelled. Well worth a visit not only for specialists but also for interested laymen.

Experience and explore a museum. On five floors you can see what life was like in Surselva in earlier times and how people worked in the olden days. A special museum tour for children encourages touching and trying out antique objects. How does one work with hammer and anvil? How does the sausage machine work? How does the Geisshorn sound?

They are 3,000 to 7,000 years old, well preserved but mostly invisible – yet the five settlements of pile dwellings in the Lake Biel/Bienne region are on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites, for they are among the rarest of their kind in the world.

Over 2500 teddy bears, dolls, doll houses, little old shops and carousels: And it’s not only children’s eyes that light up on viewing objects in the Basel toy world museum. Here the lovingly exhibited pieces from all over the world touch the hearts of adults as well. By the way, this museum is a prime example of a building furnished to make people with disabilities feel at home thanks to easy access all over.

The Roman Museum in Nyon tells the story of Noviodunum, a colony founded by Julius Caesar. Not far from the museum you also find an amphitheater, discovered only in 1996.

On the former country estate of the Chaplin family, "Manoir de Ban" in Corsier-sur-Vevey, a whole new world around the man with the bowler hat has been opened. And it’s here in the manor house with huge park that visitors learn of his private life while in the new building focus is on Chaplin’s artistic works.

The Vaudoise town of Vallorbe lies in a valley basin of the river Orbe, directly on the French border. An inconspicuous chalet is nestled against the slope above Vallorbe. It is the disguised entrance to the fortress "Pré-Giroud".

The Henry Dunant Museum is dedicated to the personality and life of Henry Dunant – born 1828 in Geneva.

The history of the mechanical sewing machines comes alive.

Visitors hear about the six-hundred-year history that is behind the flags and participate in one of the country’s oldest customs.

In the 19th century, the Freiamt region was famous for the quality of its straw products – from fine baskets to exquisite hat braiding that was exported around the world. Learn about this intriguing piece of local history at the Straw Museum in Wohlen, which offers fascinating guided tours.

The castle on Lake Thun stands in a delightful park surrounded by venerable old trees.

The fortifications of Fribourg were built to protect the town and are today open to the public.

Vindonissa, located in what is today called Windisch, was an important Roman legion's camp. The ruins of the camp are open for viewing. The monastery church of Königsfelden, which is well known for its unique glass windows (that date back to the 14th century), is located in the middle of these ruins.