Museum Montlingen
Small village museum in the cellar of the Berglischulhaus with finds from the prehistoric hilltop settlement on the Montlingerberg, open by arrangement.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Museum Montlingen displays finds from the Montlingerberg, one of the most important archaeological sites in the Rhine Valley (Rheintal). The hill on the edge of the village offered protection from floodwaters and allowed control of the trade routes through the Alpine Rhine Valley and over the Ill and the Arlberg. Finds came to light several times during quarrying for the Rhine regulation; excavations were led by Hans Bessler from 1921 to 1926 and by Benedikt Frei from 1951 to 1960. The first settlement arose in the Late Bronze Age, in the 11th century BC; its rampart can still be seen today. The hill remained settled during the Iron Age; in the 1st century AD the site was abandoned.
The museum was founded in 1964 by the village teacher of the time, Martin Hangartner; since then it has been housed in a cellar room of the Berglischulhaus. From 1994 Alois Looser ran it; he had already taken part earlier as a draughtsman in excavations on the Bergli. In March 2015 he handed the museum over to a museum commission; in April 2017 this became the Verein Museum Montlingen, and the rooms were modernized in the same year.
Displayed are Laugen-Melaun culture pottery such as the Melaunertopf, vessels of the Urnfield culture, bronze jewelry and tools, a Roman coin pot with 13 of the originally 1500 coins, and finds from the excavations at the parish church of St. Johann Baptist. Visitors who wish can combine their visit with an approximately 20-minute climb to the rampart on the Montlingerberg, or with the children's adventure trail Türli & Flidari.
Highlights
- Finds from the prehistoric hilltop settlement on the Montlingerberg
- Melaunertopf and vessels of the Urnfield culture
- Bronze jewelry from around 1300–800 BC
- Roman coin pot with 13 surviving coins
- Guided tours of the museum, parish church and Bergli
- Türli & Flidari adventure trail for children
Permanent exhibition
- Funde vom Montlingerberg – Pottery, vessels of the Urnfield culture, bronze jewelry, tools and a Roman coin pot from the excavations of the hilltop settlement, as well as finds from the parish church of St. Johann Baptist.
- Founded
- 1964
- Operated by
- Verein Museum Montlingen
- Director
- Claudio Senn
Admission & discounts
| Guided tour (museum, parish church of St. Johann Baptist or Bergli) | CHF 5per person, at least CHF 50 per group, maximum 25 participants; can be booked individually or combined |
|---|
Admission is by arrangement; the website lists only the prices for guided tours.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
The Türli & Flidari adventure trail across the Bergli (Easter to All Saints' Day) is aimed at children from preschool age to the middle grades of primary school; trail sheets are available at the start in front of the Johanneskirche, and anyone who completes the trail receives a small reward.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
According to museums.ch, the museum is easy to reach by public transport; museums.ch gives “Schulhaus Bergli” as the travel reference.
By car
Parking available
The museum is in the cellar of the Berglischulhaus at Bergliweg 7.
Get directionsAmenities & 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 |
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| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The museum is open by prior registration to residents, schools and groups for visits and guided tours. Three guided tours are possible: the museum, the parish church of St. Johann Baptist, and the Bergli (Hedwig-Scherrer-Haus, Chapel of St. Anna, rampart, former quarry). Animals may not be taken into the museum or the church. |
