Drachenlochmuseum

About the museum

The museum was founded in autumn 1981 in the old school and town hall of Vättis, a building erected around 1880 that first served as a schoolhouse and, from 1961, as the municipal hall. At its heart is the Drachenloch, a cave above the village where Palaeolithic hunters had their summer camp some 53,000 years ago and which is considered one of the highest-altitude prehistoric sites in Europe.

In two rooms on the upper floor, documents, photos and excavation profiles chronicle the digs of 1917 to 1923. The display cases hold numerous original finds, above all bones and skulls of cave bears. The gifted draughtsman Toni Nigg, whose father took part in the excavations, designed the museum with great attention to detail and added an overview of the local geology.

The small local museum also displays a mineral collection, Roman coins from the 3rd century, the original wooden sculptures from the Walser chapel of St. Martin, and tools of the old cooper's trade.

Highlights

• Finds and cave bear bones from the Drachenloch
• Documents on the 1917–1923 excavations
• Regional mineral collection
• Roman coins and wooden sculptures from the Walser chapel of St. Martin
• Guided tour (approx. 80 minutes) by appointment

Permanent exhibition

• Funde aus dem Drachenloch – Stone Age cave bear bones and excavation documents from 1917 to 1923, plus minerals, Roman coins and wooden sculptures from the village.

Founded

1981

Admission & discounts

Admission prices include the guided tour. School groups from the canton of St. Gallen enter free of charge.

Accessibility

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Kids & families

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Getting there & parking

By car on the A3 to the Bad Ragaz exit, then via Pfäfers along Vättnerstrasse to Vättis Dorf.

Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

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