Historisches Museum im Schloss Arbon
The largest local and regional history museum in Thurgau, in the medieval Schloss Arbon: 5,500 years of settlement history on Lake Constance.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum run by the Museumsgesellschaft Arbon is housed in Schloss Arbon, which stands on the foundations of the Roman fort Arbor Felix, built around 250, and is first mentioned in a document in 720. Until the Helvetic Republic in 1798, episcopal bailiffs of the Diocese of Constance ruled here. The massive tower is the oldest part of the complex and dates from around 1250; the largely unchanged buildings were constructed by Bishop Hugo von Hohenlandenberg from 1515 to 1518.
After 1804 the castle passed to the canton of Thurgau, and from 1807 to the manufacturer Franz Xaver Stoffel, whose family operated a silk ribbon weaving mill here for almost a hundred years. From 1911 it belonged to Adolph Saurer, who used the rooms as storage and for apartments and had the Landenberg Hall fitted out. Later the heirs sold the property, including the park, to the town of Arbon; after restorations in 1972/73 and 1992/93, it is today a versatile meeting place.
The modern permanent exhibition traces around 5,500 years of settlement history with original finds, documents, scale models and photographs: Neolithic lake dwellers, the Roman period, the medieval town and the industrial age. The industry section shows, among other things, the rise and fall of the companies Saurer and Heine, and a comparison of the oldest and the most modern refrigerator made by Forster. In the tower cellar visitors learn about the former water supply, and the tower room offers a panoramic view. A hall on the ground floor is available to the Museumsgesellschaft for special exhibitions.
Highlights
- Journey through 5,500 years of settlement history on Lake Constance
- Original finds from the lake dwellers and the Roman period
- Industry section with the companies Saurer, Heine and Forster
- Tower from around 1250 with a panoramic view from the tower room
- Medieval castle on the foundations of the Roman fort Arbor Felix
Permanent exhibition
- Dauerausstellung zur Geschichte Arbons – From the Neolithic period through the Roman era and the Middle Ages to industrial history, the exhibition uses original finds and documents to tell the story of the town.
- Operated by
- Museumsgesellschaft Arbon
Admission & discounts
| Adults | CHF 6 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 15 · Schoolchildren up to age 16 |
| Students & apprentices | CHF 3Apprentices and students (ages 16 to 20) |
| Guided tour (40 to 60 minutes) | CHF 80Flat rate per group, plus museum admission (CHF 6 per adult) |
Free admission: Free admission from October 4 to November 29, 2026
Raiffeisen cards are accepted; the holiday card “oskar” is also listed as a discount card. Members of the Museumsgesellschaft visit the museum for free.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Arbon
By Thurbo line S7 to Arbon; by the Romanshorn–Rorschach passenger ferry to Schiffslände Arbon, then about a five-minute walk.
By car
Parking spaces in the old town are limited.
The museum is in Schloss Arbon in the old town.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
Rooms in Schloss Arbon are not rented out by the Museumsgesellschaft but independently by Elisabeth Wolff (tel. +41 71 446 03 28).
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | General tours or tours with a focus (Neolithic period, Roman period, industrial age) last 40 to 60 minutes. Bookings with Rudolf Strasser (tel. +41 78 618 66 60). |
