Museum im Schwanenturm
Museum in the Schwanenturm (Swan Tower) of Kleve's Schwanenburg castle, with a geological collection from the Lower Rhine and tower climbs; open on weekends and public holidays.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Schwanenburg is the landmark of Kleve; its beginnings go back to around 1020. The Schwanenturm collapsed twice, in 1439 and in October 1944 as a result of wartime action, and was rebuilt each time. After the Second World War the Verein der Freunde der Schwanenburg (the then Clevische Heimatbund, today the Klevischer Verein) saw to the tower's reconstruction.
In the 1960s the association set up the Geologisches Museum in the tower. It shows rocks, fossils and Ice Age finds from the Lower Rhine on several tower floors. From the top there is a wide view over the landscape from which the exhibits come.
The tower was closed to visitors for a time and has been open again since April 2025. For fire safety reasons the number of items on display is currently greatly reduced. The Klevischer Verein is preparing its conversion into a new museum that, besides geology, is to cover the history of the town and castle as well as Kleve's gardens and parks. The new exhibition is due to be ready by March 2029, in time for the Landesgartenschau (state garden show) in Kleve; a virtual exhibition is then also planned on the ground floor for people who cannot climb the tower.
Highlights
- Climb the Schwanenturm (89 steps to the first tower floor, five floors in total)
- Rocks and fossils from the Lower Rhine, including Ice Age finds
- Wide views from the tower over Kleve and the surrounding Klever Land
- History of the Schwanenburg and its reconstruction after 1944
Permanent exhibition
- Geologische Sammlung im Schwanenturm – Rocks, fossils and Ice Age finds from the Lower Rhine; due to fire safety requirements, only a reduced selection is currently on view.
- Operated by
- Klevischer Verein für Kultur und Geschichte / Freunde der Schwanenburg e. V.
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €3.50 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €1Children, students |
| Children & teens | €1free up to age 6 · Children up to age 6 free |
| Students & apprentices | €1 |
| Groups (5+ people) | €2.50 per personGroups of 5 to 14 people; 15 to 19 people €2.00, 20 people or more €1.50 per person |
| Families | €7Parents with children |
| School classes | €0.50 |
Prices valid from April 5, 2025. Card payment is possible.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: not available
- Elevator: not available
- 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
Not accessible: even the entrance to the Schwanenturm involves a few steps, and the floors can only be reached by stairs (89 steps of spiral staircase up to the first floor). With the new exhibition, a virtual exhibition on the ground floor is planned from 2029 for people with mobility impairments.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Guided tours can be booked by arrangement, also outside regular opening hours; inquiries about large groups and guided tour rates should be sent by email to the Klevischer Verein. |
