Lötschentaler Museum

About the museum

The foundation was laid by the church painter Albert Nyfeler, who came to the Lötschental in 1906 to paint the church in Kippel. He stayed, painted, drew and photographed life in the valley, and bought objects from the local people. He bequeathed his collection to the municipality of Kippel on condition that it establish a museum.

In 1969 the folklorist Arnold Niederer began inventorying more than 500 objects with students. In 1971 the first exhibition was shown in the school building in Kippel. In 1977 the Stiftung Lötschentaler Museum Kippel (Lötschentaler Museum Kippel Foundation) was founded, which financed the museum building near the church. Construction began in 1980, and the museum opened in 1982 with the exhibition "Haus und Wohnen im Lötschental".

Today the collection comprises around 10,000 objects. The tour on the second floor shows the most important holdings in four sections: Women's Rooms – Men's Rooms, People and Mountain, Clothing and Time, and Image World of the Lötschental. In addition, a mask display explains the development and significance of the Lötschental wooden masks and the Tschäggättä tradition.

Highlights

• Lötschental wooden masks from the 19th century to today
• Masks and pictures painted by Albert Nyfeler
• Four thematic sections on daily life, mountains, clothing and the valley's imagery
• Audiovision "Klang – Form – Brauch" on six Lötschental customs
• Touchscreen with insight into masks, historical photos and posters

Permanent exhibitions

• Prunkstücke der Sammlung – Four sections show daily life, work, clothing and the pictorial world of the valley; the centerpiece is the mask display with Lötschental wooden masks and the Tschäggättä custom.
• Klang – Form – Brauch – An audiovision presents six Lötschental customs, focusing on sounds, tones and noises.

Founded

1982

Operated by

Stiftung Lötschentaler Museum Kippel

Admission & discounts

The Swiss Museum Pass is valid. Further discounts are available according to the museum; the details are not published.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

According to museums.ch, the museum offers at least one program for families or children; children pay only CHF 1.

Getting there & parking

The museum is at Museumsweg 1, near the church in Kippel.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit