Museum Blumenstein

About the museum

The museum goes back to a collection of historical objects that was begun in the Solothurn city library as early as the 18th century. From 1860 it was substantially expanded with a view to establishing a museum of its own, and in 1902 it moved into the newly built Museum Solothurn, today's Kunstmuseum. When space there became scarce, the city bought the Blumenstein country house in 1951 and opened the Historisches Museum Blumenstein there on 3 May 1952.

The Baroque country house served a Solothurn patrician family as a summer residence in the 18th century. On the ground floor, magnificent living rooms and the cramped rooms of the servants have been preserved; around 1910 the then owner converted the house into a year-round residence with central heating and a luxurious kitchen, which still works today. On the upper floor, the permanent exhibition on the history of the town tells of the everyday lives of people over the past 2,000 years.

The exhibits include a large model of the town of Solothurn from 1833, the "Aarhofuhr" clock of 1691 and a peep show with the hermitage of St. Verena. In the tenant farmer's house, the cantonal archaeology service shows important finds from the Old Stone Age to the early modern period, and the hospital pharmacy of 1788 in the Altes Spital in the Vorstadt is also part of the museum. The museum is run by the City of Solothurn and is open to everyone free of charge.

Highlights

• Baroque country house with the living rooms of a patrician family and historic kitchen
• Model of the town of Solothurn in 1833
• Aarhofuhr clock of 1691 and peep show with the hermitage of St. Verena
• Archaeology in the tenant farmer's house with finds from the Old Stone Age to the early modern period
• Hospital pharmacy of 1788 in the Altes Spital in the Vorstadt

Permanent exhibitions

• Landsitz Blumenstein – Baroque living rooms on the ground floor, cramped maids' rooms on the mezzanine and the luxury kitchen installed around 1910, which still works.
• Stadtgeschichte Solothurn – On the upper floor: town model of 1833, Aarhofuhr clock of 1691, catacomb saints and the installation "2000×11" on settlement history.
• Archäologie im Pächterhaus – Exhibition by the cantonal archaeology service with the most important finds on the history of the town from the Old Stone Age to the early modern period.

Founded

1952

Operated by

Einwohnergemeinde der Stadt Solothurn

Director

Erich Weber

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is free; the museum welcomes voluntary contributions to the donation box in the foyer ("Drachmophag"). Children's birthday party (from age 7, max. 10 children, 2 hours) CHF 300; school workshop (2 hours) CHF 240.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Kids’ birthday parties

The "Kinder & Familien" (Children & Families) programme includes events such as the storytelling night; children's birthday parties with museum educators at the Schloss and school workshops can be booked.

Getting there & parking

On foot through the town centre, past the Baroque fortifications, under Werkhofstrasse and via St. Niklausstrasse and Fegetzallee. By car, follow the brown signs "Blumenstein" and "Kantonsschule".

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties

Up to 98 guests.

Private events for up to 98 people in the dining room, great hall and garden (garden only with room hire); standing aperitif from CHF 100, concerts and talks from CHF 200, catered meals from CHF 200; caterer of your choice, please observe the terms of use.

Plan your visit