Haus der Instrumente

About the museum

The collection has its roots in Willisau. In 2002, the Albert Koechlin Foundation opened the restored old town mill there as a cultural centre, and in June 2003 the instrument collection of Christian and Leonie Patt from Malix was given a room of its own. In 2010, the collection of the Lucerne native Heinrich Schumacher (1858–1923) was added; its pieces had previously been shown from 1943 to 2009 in the Richard Wagner Museum at Tribschen. In February 2010, the museum moved to the former printing rooms of the "Willisauer Bote" at the Viehmarkt and was thenceforth called Musikinstrumentensammlung Willisau.

Until 2022, concerts, sound demonstrations, special exhibitions and courses shaped its operations. At the beginning of 2023, the museum moved to the LUK Center in Lucerne-Kriens, placing a new theme at its centre: the crafts of instrument making, including their transmission, documentation and preservation. On 2 September 2023, it opened under the name Haus der Instrumente.

Today the collection consists of more than 800 musical instruments, which are displayed on a rotating basis. In addition there is the museum's own workshop, where craftspeople work, and a documentation collection of construction plans and process descriptions that preserves the knowledge of handcrafted instrument making. The museum is run by the Albert Koechlin Foundation.

Highlights

• Over 800 musical instruments, displayed on a rotating basis
• Demonstration workshop for handcrafted instrument making
• Patt and Schumacher collections with historical instruments
• Building courses, for example for a cardboard harp, rabab or bamboo transverse flute
• Documentation collection on construction plans and craft techniques

Permanent exhibition

• Sammlung Musikinstrumente – Over 800 instruments with a focus on handcrafted instrument making, shown on a rotating basis; accessible on public and booked guided tours.

Founded

2003

Operated by

Albert Koechlin Stiftung

Director

Adrian Steger

Admission & discounts

The museum does not state admission prices for individual visitors. Public guided tours: free admission; the team appreciates a donation.

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 directions mention a stairlift tower leading to the footbridge; no further information on accessibility has been published.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

For school pupils there are building courses for bamboo transverse flutes; on guided tours, visitors can try out some of the instruments themselves.

Getting there & parking

Motorway exit Luzern Süd.

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