Paul Gugelmann-Museum
Museum with around 40 moving "poetic machines" by the artist Paul Gugelmann, which can only be visited on a guided tour.
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About the museum
Paul Gugelmann was born in Schönenwerd in 1929 and died in 2022. He first worked in the advertising department of the Bally shoe factories, became a graphic artist and shoe designer, and from 1951 built up a creative studio for Bally in Paris. After returning to Switzerland in 1969, he first created fantastical steam-powered sculptures and later his "poetic machines", moving works of art full of humour and hidden meaning.
Despite significant purchase offers, the machines remained unsold. In accordance with the artist's wishes, they were placed in a foundation in 1994. A small group around Paul Gugelmann and Jean-Pierre Racine made it possible to build a museum of its own in Schönenwerd, which opened in 1995. In 2010 the museum welcomed its 100,000th visitor, and in 2020 it celebrated its 25th anniversary.
Today the museum shows around 40 works. Experienced museum guides accompany every visitor through the exhibition, demonstrate the machines and tell the background stories of the individual one-of-a-kind pieces. The museum is run by the Paul Gugelmann Foundation and a support association.
Highlights
- Around 40 moving "poetic machines" by Paul Gugelmann
- Demonstration of the machines on a guided tour
- Museum purpose-built for the works in 1995
- One-of-a-kind pieces that appeal to all the senses with humour and depth
- Tours for children on request
Permanent exhibition
- Poetische Maschinen von Paul Gugelmann – Around 40 moving works of art designed and built by the artist himself; they are demonstrated and explained on the guided tour.
- Founded
- 1995
- Operated by
- Paul Gugelmann-Stiftung
Admission & discounts
| Adults | CHF 10 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | CHF 5School children aged 6 to 16. |
| Groups | –Group tours: 1 group of up to 8 people CHF 100, up to 10 people CHF 120, 2 groups (11–20 people) CHF 240, 3 groups (21–30 people) CHF 360; for larger groups an additional CHF 10 per additional person. |
| Group tour, 1 group of up to 8 people | CHF 100 |
| Group tour, 1 group of up to 10 people | CHF 120 |
| Group tours, 2 groups (11–20 people) | CHF 240 |
| Group tours, 3 groups (21–30 people) | CHF 360Larger groups an additional CHF 10 per additional person. |
Prices apply during opening hours; all visitors are accompanied on the guided tour.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
Tours for children are available on request; the website promotes experiences for families, groups of friends and work teams.
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 · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Visits are only possible on the guided tour, during which the machines are demonstrated. Tours for children are available on request for younger visitors. |
