Enter Technikwelt Solothurn

About the museum

The Enter Technikwelt goes back to the collecting passion of the two entrepreneurs and electrical engineers Felix Kunz and Peter Regenass. When their collection grew too large, the museum was first set up in company premises and, from 2003, in a converted barn at Felix Kunz's home. With the non-profit foundation Enter, established in 2010, the museum gained a public framework, and in December 2011 a converted site near Solothurn station opened as a public museum.

Because the Solothurn–Bern regional railway needed the land, the foundation decided to relocate the museum to Derendingen and to rethink it completely in a new building there. The “Enter Technikwelt Solothurn” opened in November 2023. Since December 2023 it has also shown the collection of the former Gutenberg Museum in Fribourg, which closed in 2022.

On more than 10,000 square metres, the museum shows around 40,000 objects from the history of analogue and digital technology in more than ten themed worlds. Highlights include the first Swiss radio station from 1922, the cloud projector “Spitlight” and an almost complete Apple collection. In addition there is the history of printing with an open workshop, the gaming world Play! with over thirty consoles, film vehicles and an open storage depot.

Highlights

• The first Swiss radio station “Le Champ de l'Air” from 1922
• Spitlight, the most powerful image projector in the world
• Almost complete Apple collection from the Apple I to today
• History of printing with an open workshop and a Gutenberg connection
• Game Zone Play! with over thirty consoles, and film vehicles

Permanent exhibitions

• Druckgeschichte – Exhibition on Johannes Gutenberg and printing with movable type, plus an open workshop with papermaking, thread binding, origami and printing with wooden letters.
• Game Zone Play! – Gaming world with over thirty consoles and historic video games as well as pinball machines; playing is included in the admission.
• Faszination Fahrzeuge und offenes Depot – Themed worlds on the lower floor with film vehicles and a look into the collection's storage depot.

Founded

2011

Operated by

Stiftung Enter

Director

Fabian Knuchel

Admission & discounts

Discounts cannot be combined: TCS members 20%, Kulturlegi 30% off admission. Free admission with the Swiss Museum Pass, Raiffeisen card (MemberPlus), VMS/ICOM and IEEE membership, and as Friends of Enter.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• 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 entire building is wheelchair-accessible and accessible for pushchairs. Dogs are only allowed in the restaurant.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Playground / play area

From first grade, children can get hands-on in the interactive exhibitions; for younger children there are several play zones. The Game Zone Play! and the open workshop on the history of printing are included in the admission.

Getting there & parking

The Technikwelt is about a seven-minute drive from Solothurn station; by car via the A5, exit Solothurn Ost, towards Kriegstetten/Herzogenbuchsee.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant

Self-service restaurant (“Enter Restaurant”/museum bistro) with daily changing lunch menus, snacks and desserts, also for guests from outside the museum; electronics shop for spare parts (Wed–Sat 2–5 pm).

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 500 guests.

Available for hire are, among others, the event hall (up to 500 guests, 615 m²), the event hall “Route 66” (up to 200 guests), an auditorium (50 guests), two Academy rooms (25 guests each) and a terrace; catering and technology from a single source.

Plan your visit