Klangschmiede

About the museum

The Klangschmiede is part of the Klangwelt Toggenburg, a foundation that shares the region’s musical traditions and was initiated by the composer and sound researcher Peter Roth. Since 2011 it has been based in the house “zur Mühle” in Alt St. Johann, a late Baroque Toggenburg house from 1787 right on the Thur River.

On the first floor, the forge keeps an almost forgotten craft alive: this is where cowbells are made, as well as singing bowls, gongs and other forged sound objects. Visitors can watch the smiths at work, and in courses they can forge their own bell or gong under guidance. At the entrance hangs a “sky” of bells, arranged by region of Switzerland.

The upper floors are a hands-on house for trying things out. In the experiment room, space room and overtone room, in the “Stöbli” and in a room devoted to the sounds of animals and plants, sound is explored and listened to. The customs room is dedicated to alpine culture with natural yodeling, the alpine prayer (Alpsegen), the hammered dulcimer and the three-part cowbell chime (“G’Spiel”), as well as to the Toggenburg instrument maker Ueli Ammann (1766–1842). Since 2019 there has also been a sound-themed escape room in the house.

Highlights

• Bell forge with double hearth on the first floor
• Hands-on house with experiment, space and overtone rooms
• Customs room with natural yodeling, alpine prayer and instrument maker Ueli Ammann
• Courses to forge your own bell or gong
• Sound-themed escape room (bookable year-round)

Permanent exhibitions

• Erlebnishaus Klangschmiede – Interactive themed rooms on sound, outer space, natural tones, animal and plant sounds, and customs and the alpine cattle drive on the upper floor of the house.
• Schellenschmiede – Workshop with a hearth on the first floor, where smiths make cowbells, singing bowls and gongs while visitors watch.

Founded

2011

Operated by

Stiftung Klangwelt Toggenburg

Admission & discounts

Prices for the hands-on house and the forge. Free admission with the Swiss Museum Pass, for Raiffeisen MemberPlus members and with the OSKAR guest card; 50% discount with the KulturLegi.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: not available
• 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 old Toggenburg house is not fully accessible: the stairwell is narrow and the upper floors are difficult to reach. The forge workshop on the first floor is accessible. There is no wheelchair-accessible restroom.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

The hands-on house is intended for adults and children; trying things out and experimenting is expressly encouraged. Family ticket (2 adults, 4 children).

Getting there & parking

Access via the Mühle/Sonnenhalbstrasse bridge has been closed for construction since September 14, 2026; a detour is signposted (as of October 2026).

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Sound shop with sound objects and Klangwelt products.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit