Historical Museums

The imposing Alte Zeughaus (old armory) shapes Solothurn’s cityscape since a good 400 years and, as historic building as well as museum, is certainly worth a visit.

On the way, you can pop in to see the dinosaurs.

A look behind the scenes of the Paul Scherrer Institute

Basel – Switzerland’s capital of art and culture Nestling in the heart of Europe in the three countries corner where Switzerland, Germany and France meet, Basel is a pocket-sized metropolis that combines proverbial Swiss quality with a multicultural population. More than 40 museums with their long-established collections and spectacular special exhibitions are the foundation of Basel's reputation as a city of art and museums.

The Palfries cable car offers a unique view of large parts of the Heidiland and beyond. The cable car runs directly above an impressive waterfall, one of the highest in Switzerland. After passengers arrive at 1,728 metres above sea level, the imposing Palfries plateau is revealed in all its glory.

The series of “Prehistoric pile dwellings around the Alps“ comprises a selection of 111 of the almost 1,000 known archaeological pile dwelling stations in the six countries surrounding the Alps. (Switzerland, Germany, Austria, France, Italy and Slovenia). Of these, 56 are discovered in Switzerland.

The Treasure Chamber of the Principality of Liechtenstein is located in the heart of the Liechtenstein capital, Vaduz. The little museum exhibits unique treasures that are closely associated with Liechtenstein and that cannot be found anywhere else in this form and combination.

The regional museum dedicated to tourism presents on three floors the development of travel for pleasure and breaks in the Jungfrau region. Opened in 1980, the museum of tourism in Interlaken is the first and only museum of its kind comprehensively and exclusively dedicated to the history of tourism.

The "Bernisches Historisches Museum" (The Berne Historical Museum) is one of Switzerland's most important cultural and historical museums and hosts a general historical collection containing approximately 500,000 objects as well as the Einstein Museum.

La Chaux-de-Fonds is more closely associated with watches than perhaps any other town or city. Located at an altitude of 1,000 metres above sea level, its streets are laid out in a chessboard pattern. This successful symbiosis between urban development and the watchmaking industry has led to the city being designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. La Chaux-de-Fonds is also the birthplace of Le Corbusier.

This old building on the Poststrasse seems rather insignificant from the outside and you may have already walked past it without knowing what is behind the walls. In fact, this newly renovated Baroque building is a real gem. The Graubünden Cantonal Court is now housed here.

With its collection of 150,000 items in some 80 languages, the Martin Bodmer Foundation is among the largest private libraries in the world.

Learn more about Solothurn's walls and their gates and towers.

Built in 1996 on the site of a lakeside village dating back to 3000 B.C., the Neolithic farm at Gletterens brings the prehistoric past back to life. Clay houses and straw rooves have been built here, just as they were 5,000 years ago. Archaeologists decided to create a colonyfrom the Neolithic era and were able to get an idea of how people lived in their "lake dwellings" from the archaeological sites at Tene.

Versailles in miniature: this magnificent palace was built in 1696 by Charles de Chandieu, an officer in the French army, in the French classical style. You’ll see families of ducks enjoying themselves on the pond.

Montebello Castle is the second-largest castle in Bellinzona. It was built in the late Middle Ages and is often referred to as the “small castle”, “new castle” or “medium-sized castle”.

Steep yourself in history and experience baroque with all of your senses – all this is possible at the Baroque Days in Solothurn. The August event celebrates history and honours the baroque lifestyle. Scenic tours, concerts showcasing historical musical instruments, lectures, games and workshops – the varied programme offers something for everyone.

A train ride with an over 100 years old steam train! The "Zürcher Museumsbahn" offers this unique event which will make the stay in and around Zurich even more rememberable.

Harnessing the power of water.

The history of viticulture in the canton of Schaffhausen dates back to the Roman era. Monks contributed significantly to the spread of wine cultivation and Schaffhausen became Switzerland’s most important supplier of wine.