Kunstmuseum Thurgau

About the museum

The core of the art museum is the art collection of the canton of Thurgau, which goes back to a cantonal art credit established in 1942. At first the works decorated government offices, and important pieces were shown in the meeting room of the government building. In 1973 the collection received its first, provisional exhibition building in the "Kunsthaus" in the Villa Sonnenberg in Frauenfeld; in 1983 it moved to the Kartause Ittingen, where a broader permanent presentation became possible.

Since the museum mission statement of 1993, the house no longer shows only artists from the region but also internationally known positions, always with a close connection to the place. The collection's focal points are regional art, outsider art and contemporary art with a connection to the site; the museum shows about four to five exhibitions a year.

After a period as an Augustinian canons' foundation, the Kartause Ittingen was a Carthusian monastery from 1461 for almost 500 years, was dissolved in 1848 and was acquired by a foundation in 1977. The Ittinger Museum was established in 1983 as a cantonal institution and makes the largely preserved monastery complex accessible; rooms such as the monk's cell, the winter refectory and the sacristy convey the life of the monks.

Highlights

• Regional art, outsider art and contemporary art with a connection to the site
• Two museums under one roof: Kunstmuseum Thurgau and Ittinger Museum
• Originally preserved monastery rooms: monk's cell, refectory, chapter house, sacristy
• Audio drama tour "… sei still" ("… be still") through the Ittinger Museum
• Baroque monastery church and gardens of the Kartause

Permanent exhibition

• Ittinger Museum – Klosteranlage – The originally preserved rooms of the Kartause (church, cloisters, refectory, monk's cell, sacristy with the Ittinger processional cross) show the life of the Carthusian monks, complemented by small thematic exhibitions, for example on the order's founder Bruno and on the building's history.

Founded

1973

Operated by

Kanton Thurgau

Director

Peter Stohler

Admission & discounts

Free admission with the Swiss Museum Pass, the Raiffeisen card, the AIAP card and the KulturLegi.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: not available
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum is easily accessible, all exhibition levels can be reached by lift; the historic complex has some gravel and cobblestone paths. If needed, call the visitor service in front of the entrance (tel. +41 58 345 10 73) and you will be escorted through the rear entrance. There are no disabled parking spaces directly at the museum; for wheelchair-accessible vehicles, the barrier at the west entrance is opened by phone. 45 audio devices with Braille keypad and hearing loop (HAC) for hearing aid users, a tactile model of the monastery complex on request; some of the guided tours can be adapted to be barrier-free.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Kids’ birthday parties

The "Museum for Children" programme of the cantonal museums offers events for children (registration required), children's birthday parties with a visit to the exhibition and a creative workshop (for ages 5 to 11) on request. There are offerings for school classes from short tours to full-day experiences, and the "Nights at the Museum" tour is also available as a family version.

Getting there & parking

The Kartause is 6 km northwest of Frauenfeld; approach via the A7, exit Frauenfeld-West.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant
• Museum shop

Restaurant Mühle in the Kartause (seasonal cuisine from its own farm); monastery shop with products of the Kartause; museum shop during opening hours, including Sundays, with literature on the monastery, gardens, art and spirituality.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit