Museum am Hafen

About the museum

Museum am Hafen goes back to the “Kleines Museum am Hafen” (Small Museum at the Harbor), which according to the Museumsverband Thurgau opened in 1988. In summer 2009 it was newly established after long planning and with the help of many volunteers: a group from the Museumsgesellschaft Romanshorn completely redesigned the exhibition in the attic of the Alte Zollhaus according to modern museum principles.

The building on the harbor basin was built around 1852, before the railway era, by the Canton of Thurgau as a granary; grain was stored here, and there was a grain exchange. The lower two floors are now used by a private school, and the museum is in the attic. From the windows one looks out at the ship and rail traffic that the exhibition addresses.

The exhibition documents Romanshorn’s development over more than 150 years, from 1800 to the present, in eight alcoves: lake, harbor, ship, ferry, railway, travel, work and living. It thus goes beyond an ordinary local museum and also tells the story of transport history on Lake Constance. The museum is run by the Museumsgesellschaft Romanshorn, which also organizes special exhibitions, lectures and the “Romishorner Runden” (Romanshorn Rounds).

Highlights

• Exhibition in eight alcoves, from lake and harbor to work and living
• Ferry service, steamboat travel and the early railway in Romanshorn
• Museum in the attic of the Alte Zollhaus, directly on the harbor basin
• Free admission, voluntary donation
• Museums Explorer: worksheet for school classes

Permanent exhibition

• Romanshorn von 1800 bis heute – See, Hafen, Bahn – The permanent exhibition documents, in eight alcoves, Romanshorn’s development into a transport hub on Lake Constance, from lake, harbor, ship and ferry to the railway and to travel, work and living.

Founded

1988

Operated by

Museumsgesellschaft Romanshorn

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

The Museumsgesellschaft waives admission fees (except for specially marked special exhibitions, where applicable) and asks for a voluntary donation.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

The Museums Explorer (worksheet as PDF) is aimed at school classes; in addition, the museum refers to a family program offered by the town for autumn and winter.

Getting there & parking

Address for navigation: Hafenstrasse 31, 8590 Romanshorn. Arrival by ferry, scheduled passenger boat or your own boat is possible; guest berths are available in the marinas.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop with publications and postcards about Romanshorn’s history (ordering also possible via a form).

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Up to 50 guests.

Event room in the attic, around 100 m² for up to 50 people (club meetings, family celebrations, aperitifs, readings, lectures); equipped with tables, chairs, projection screen, projector, display panels, internet and a kitchenette. Rental: CHF 100 for a half day, CHF 200 for a full day.

Plan your visit