Historisches Museum Baden

About the museum

The Historical Museum Baden was founded in 1875 by the Society for Public Lectures; the core of the collection consisted of archaeological finds from the town. The driving force was Bartholomäus Fricker, who also set up a museum commission in the same year. From 1877 the historical collection belonged to the town, and in 1882 the commission became a municipal institution. In July 1913 the growing museum moved from the Kurhaus to the Landvogteischloss on the Limmat.

The castle once served as the seat of the bailiff and is now itself part of the tour: carefully furnished rooms, such as the bailiff's kitchen or the Biedermeier parlour of the Borsinger family, lead into ways of life from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. In 1992/93 an extension was built to plans by Wilfrid and Katharina Steib; because of its curved shape it is called the "Melonenschnitz" (melon slice) and contains the museum entrance.

In the permanent exhibition "Geschichte >verlinkt<", opened in 2016, visitors explore the history of the spas, the Diet and industry of the region at interactive stations and come across unexpected connections from object to object. The collection preserves everyday objects from the former spa town and archaeological finds, and since the 1990s it has been deliberately expanded with objects of industrial culture. Together with the friends' association Melonenschnitz, the museum looks after the Industrial Heritage Trail Limmat–Wasserschloss. The museum is run by the town of Baden.

Highlights

• Multimedia permanent exhibition "Geschichte >verlinkt<" in the extension
• Furnished castle rooms in the Landvogteischloss, from the Middle Ages to the 20th century
• Themes: spas and Roman times, the Diet, industry (BBC)
• Bat hideout as a play room for children
• Industrial Heritage Trail Limmat–Wasserschloss

Permanent exhibitions

• Geschichte >verlinkt< – Multimedia permanent exhibition in the extension on the history of the spas, the Diet and industry; interactive stations link the objects on the collection wall with one another.
• Landvogteischloss – Furnished castle rooms such as the kitchen and Biedermeier parlour bring ways of life from the Middle Ages to the 20th century to life.

Founded

1875

Operated by

Stadt Baden

Admission & discounts

Rates since 24 March 2026. Free admission with the Museums-Pass-Musée and the Swiss Museum Pass, with the Raiffeisen card, the Swiss Travel Pass, the Kulturlegi, the VMS/ICOM card, CityTickets or the guest card, with a Status F, N or S permit, with a press card, and for members of the friends' association Melonenschnitz. Teachers preparing lessons and employees of the town of Baden pay no admission. Independent visits by school classes without a tour are free.

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

According to the museum, the birthday programme in the Landvogteischloss is not wheelchair accessible. The museum entrance is in the extension.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Playground / play area
• Kids’ birthday parties

With the bat hideout (play and adventure room, ages 4 to 10), the Landvogteischloss is well suited to young explorers; for young people aged 11 and over, the museum recommends the exhibition "Geschichte >verlinkt<", which schoolchildren aged 8 and over can explore playfully with the museum tablet. Toddler corner in the foyer, puzzle fun with Frank the bat (ages 6 and up) and children's birthdays (ages 5 and up, Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2 p.m., 90 minutes, max. 10 children).

Getting there & parking

The museum entrance is in the extension ("Melonenschnitz") next to the Landvogteischloss.

Amenities & dining

• Café

Museum café by the foyer.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 60 guests.

Melonenschnitz with main room on the Limmat (around 180 m²), foyer, sun terrace and museum cinema (20 seats) as a party package for up to 60 people (small CHF 1,050, large CHF 1,410; Tuesday to Sunday, not Monday and Thursday). The panorama room in the Landvogteischloss (around 47 m², up to 15 people) is suitable for workshops and meetings (guide price CHF 50 per hour). Museum Pass and Raiffeisen card do not apply to room rental.

Plan your visit