Carl-Schweizer-Museum

About the museum

Taxidermist Carl Schweizer opened a workshop in Schwäbisch Hall in 1896 and moved to Murrhardt in 1917. Together with his son Egon, he founded the Murrhardt museum in 1931, initially housed in rooms of a former colored-weaving mill. In 1943 it had to be vacated for war production, and many pieces were damaged or lost in the process.

From 1950 the family rebuilt the museum under the name Carl-Schweizer-Museum in a building of its own; in 1953 the distinctive tower extension by Murrhardt architect Hermann Blum was added. The zoological collection remained at its core: in large dioramas whose painted backdrops were created as early as the 1930s, the museum shows Central European animals in their habitats from the North Sea to the Alps – all specimens come from the museum's own workshop, and the mountain diorama is more than 20 meters long.

From the 1950s onward, a local history section developed, which was reorganized after 1985. Today it comprises a cabinet on prehistory and early history; a Roman collection with finds from the fort and camp village on the Limes and a 3D presentation, "Virtuelle Limeswelten" (Virtual Limes Worlds); a section on Murrhardt Abbey with original architectural elements of the Hohenstaufen-era Walterichskapelle chapel; and the town's history up to the 20th century. The museum is still family-owned and is run in the fourth generation by Christian Schweizer.

Highlights

• Large dioramas with native animals, including a mountain diorama more than 20 meters long
• Reconstruction of Steinheim Man
• Roman finds from the Limes and the 3D show "Virtuelle Limeswelten"
• Original architectural elements of the Hohenstaufen-era Walterichskapelle
• Murrhardt's town history from monastery settlement to the 20th century

Permanent exhibitions

• Tier- und Vogelwelt Mitteleuropas – Zoological collection in large dioramas with specimens from the museum's own workshop, from coastal and river landscapes to the high mountains.
• Römische Sammlung – Finds from the fort and camp village on the Limes, including bronzes and replicas of gravestones, complemented by the 3D presentation "Virtuelle Limeswelten".
• Kloster- und Stadtgeschichte – Original architectural elements of the Walterichskapelle and evidence of Murrhardt's development from a Carolingian monastery to the 20th century.

Founded

1931

Operated by

Familie Schweizer (Privatmuseum)

Director

Christian Schweizer

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: not available
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The first floor is accessible, but the restroom is not. Selected exhibits may be touched on request.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities

Age-appropriate tours for kindergartens and elementary schools, for example on songbirds and the forest or on life on the Limes, some with replicas to touch; museum quiz available to download. From September to March, a night watchman's tour of Murrhardt can also be booked for children's groups and birthday parties.

Getting there & parking

Pedestrians should follow the tourist signs.

Amenities & dining

• Coat check

Bags, luggage and umbrellas must be left at the cloakroom. Eating and drinking are not permitted in the building.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Plan your visit