Forstbotanische Ausstellung im Schweizerhaus Tharandt
Small museum in the half-timbered Schweizerhaus of the Tharandt Forest Botanic Garden, with garden history, the garden as a habitat, and growth anomalies. Free admission.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum is on the ground floor of the Schweizerhaus, a half-timbered house in Swiss style from the mid-19th century. It lies directly above the main entrance of the Forest Botanic Garden when coming from Tharandt. The garden itself was laid out in 1811 by Heinrich Cotta and Adam Reum and is one of the oldest woody plant collections in the world; today it belongs to the Technische Universität Dresden (Dresden University of Technology).
In 1885, a forest botany museum was set up in the Schweizerhaus to display the scientific collections that had accumulated over the years. Since the redesign in 1995, the exhibition has been divided into three areas: the history of the garden; the garden as a site for plants and as a habitat for animals and plants; and growth anomalies, which make it especially easy to explain to children how flexibly plants respond to their environment.
The Forstgartenshop (forest garden shop) is also located in the same house.
Highlights
- History of the Forest Botanic Garden since 1811
- The garden as a plant site and habitat for animals
- Growth anomalies in trees, vividly explained, including for children
- Half-timbered Schweizerhaus with forest garden shop
Permanent exhibition
- Forstbotanisches Museum im Schweizerhaus – Three themed areas on the history of the garden, its role as a plant site and habitat, and growth anomalies in trees.
- Founded
- 1885
- Operated by
- Technische Universität Dresden (Forstbotanischer Garten Tharandt)
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Groups | –Garden tour for groups of up to 15 people: €70 per group, about 2 hours, by registration only. |
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Admission to the museum and garden is free; donations are welcome.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The historic garden lies on steep terrain. On the website, the paths are classified by gradient into three categories (under 6%, 6–10%, over 10% or obstacles), and there is a map showing benches and rest areas.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
The section on growth anomalies is particularly vivid for children, and the garden is considered family-friendly.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Tharandt Markt
S-Bahn, regional trains and regional express from the direction of Dresden and Zwickau to Tharandt. For the old garden section and the Schweizerhaus, get off at the stop "Markt"; for the North American Quarter, the stop "Zeisigweg" in Kurort Hartha.
Amenities & dining
- Museum shop
Forest garden shop in the Schweizerhaus with books, maps, coffee, tea, ice cream and drinks.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 2 hrs |
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| Good to know | Guided walks through the garden for groups (max. 15 people) by registration at 0351 463 31373 (Mon–Wed, 08:00–12:00) or by email. Appointments are also possible outside opening hours. |
