Kraftzentrale Schönenberg
Preserved hydropower plant of the Schönenberg silk weaving mill, with turbines, steam boiler and chimney, emergency diesel generator and acid battery room.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The power plant belonged to the Schönenberg silk fabric mill, which produced fine silk fabrics from 1862 to 1978. Its power came from the Thur via a factory canal that was once about 1.4 kilometers long; transmission shafts carried the power directly to the mechanical looms. The installation grew along with the factory: in 1893 the output was increased, in 1898 a second steam boiler and a chimney were added, in 1909 a new weir and a further turbine installation from Escher Wyss followed a fire, and in 1943 an emergency diesel generator.
After the end of textile production and a fire on the factory site in 2001, the power plant was to make way for a road access. Heritage conservation and industrial archaeology considered the installation historically significant; a compromise saved two thirds of the installation, including the chimney. On May 2, 2002, the Verein Kraftzentrale Schönenberg (association) was founded, which restored the installation and opened it to the public. In 2003 it received the cantonal Heimatschutz Prize.
The guided route features three hydropower installations with turbines and generators from Escher Wyss and BBC, the chimney with a Sulzer boiler, an emergency power unit, the switchboards with marble and Art Nouveau elements, and a room with acid batteries as electricity storage. A model of the installation complements the tour.
Highlights
- Three historic hydropower installations from Escher Wyss and BBC
- Steam generation plant with chimney and Sulzer boiler
- Emergency diesel unit with generator
- Switchboard with marble and Art Nouveau elements from 1909
- Room with acid batteries as electricity storage
- Plant model along the visitor route
Permanent exhibition
- Besucherrundgang durch die Kraftzentrale – The route shows the preserved technology of the silk weaving mill: three hydropower installations, a steam boiler with chimney, an emergency diesel generator, switchboards and the acid battery electricity storage.
- Operated by
- Verein Kraftzentrale Schönenberg
Admission & discounts
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
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
Kradolf
By Thurbo line S5 to the Kradolf stop.
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
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Guided tours by request; a documentary film about the weir is also available for the tours. |
