Museum Altes Zeughaus Solothurn

About the museum

The Old Arsenal (Altes Zeughaus) was built between 1609 and 1614 as a place to store the personal military equipment of Solothurn’s citizens and was regarded as a symbol of the city-state’s military readiness. At the same time it served as a weapons and armour depot for the mercenary trade, in which Swiss Confederates fought for European rulers for centuries. Armour, weapons and spoils of war still tell of this conflict-ridden past today.

As early as the 18th century, guests came to view the armour and spoils of war on the second floor. In 1845 the figure group “Tagsatzung zu Stans 1481” (Diet of Stans 1481) was installed, one of the oldest museum displays in Switzerland still preserved today. After the arsenal ceased operation in 1907, the building was converted entirely into a museum. From 2014 to 2016 the more than 400-year-old building was comprehensively renovated and the permanent exhibition renewed.

The exhibition leads from the ground floor with heavy artillery and a visible storage area, past cabins on conflicts and peacekeeping on the first floor, to the armoury hall on the second floor with the armour collection and the spoils from the Burgundian Wars. The figure of the “Züghusjoggeli” has greeted visitors since the 18th century, and at hands-on stations you can touch weapons and armour yourself.

Highlights

• Armoury hall with an internationally known collection of armour
• Spoils from the Burgundian Wars
• Figure group “Tagsatzung zu Stans 1481” from 1845
• Visible storage with weapons and heavy artillery
• Touching allowed: experience halberd, chain mail and armour

Permanent exhibitions

• Rüstsaal und Harnischsammlung – On the second upper floor, armour and spoils from the Burgundian Wars show the city’s military readiness; also the figure group “Tagsatzung zu Stans 1481”.
• Schaudepot und Geschütze – On the ground and first upper floors, types of weapons and heavy artillery explain technical development; cabins invite reflection on conflict and peace.
• Anfassen erlaubt! – Hands-on stations where you can experience the weight, material and construction of halberd, sword, chain mail and armour.

Founded

1907

Operated by

Kanton Solothurn

Director

Adrian Baschung

Admission & discounts

Free admission with Museum Pass, Raiffeisenbank card plus and KulturLegi, each only during opening hours. School classes visit the museum free of charge during opening hours.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Hands-on stations for touching weapons and armour, object cards and a role quiz for children; families pay CHF 10. Children’s birthday parties for up to 12 children aged 6 to 12 (2 hours, CHF 250 including cake).

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the middle of the old town near St. Ursen Cathedral and can be reached in just under 10 minutes on foot from Solothurn railway station.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop with books and publications, including the Jahrbuch für Solothurnische Geschichte.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Rooms on the ground floor and on the first and third upper floors for events from aperitifs to banquets, also for conferences and training with technical equipment; the third upper floor only when no special exhibition is running. On request at +41 32 627 60 70.

Plan your visit