Museum des Landes Glarus

About the museum

The Freuler Palace in Näfels is among the most magnificent Swiss residential buildings of the 17th century. It was built by Kaspar Freuler, a military contractor from Näfels and guard colonel in French service. Between 1642 and 1648 he brought craftsmen from all over Europe, who furnished the palace with stucco work, wood paneling, inlay work and coffered ceilings; the show rooms are preserved in full to this day.

Later the house served, among other things, as a poorhouse, and the ornamental garden in the courtyard was replaced by a vegetable garden. In 1934 the Stiftung für den Freulerpalast (Freuler Palace Foundation) was established, representing the canton of Glarus and the municipality. In the 1940s the palace was comprehensively renovated; in 1947 garden architect Johannes Schweizer and architect Hans Leuzinger redesigned the courtyard.

Since 1946 the Museum des Landes Glarus, the canton's historical museum, has been housed here. It shows the history and culture of Glarus from the first settlements to the present. Its focuses are cultural history and textile printing, which as the canton's once most important industry has been presented since June 2024 in a newly designed permanent exhibition in the attic. The offerings are complemented by departments on alpine farming and skiing.

Highlights

• Freuler Palace of 1642–1648 with fully preserved show rooms
• Glarus cultural history from the first settlements to today
• New textile-printing exhibition on about 500 m² in the attic
• Departments on alpine farming and skiing
• Freuler Garden and children's quiz with host Kaspar Freuler

Permanent exhibitions

• Prunkräume – A tour through nine representative and living rooms of the 17th century, which are fully preserved as the palace of the Freuler family.
• Kulturgeschichte – Objects on the history of the Land of Glarus, from the first settlements through the Battle of Näfels in 1388 and the Reformation to industrialization in the 19th century.
• Textildruck – In the attic, the new exhibition on about 500 m² tells the more than 250-year history of Glarus textile printing.

Founded

1946

Operated by

Stiftung für den Freulerpalast

Director

Martina Huggel

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Näfelser Fahrt (free admission)

Free admission for refugees and foreigners with an N, S or F ID, as well as for holders of the Schweizer Museumspass, the Raiffeisen Member Card, the Glarner Kantonalbank debit card, the VMS/ICOM card, and for Friends of the Freuler Palace. School-class tours from the canton of Glarus cost CHF 100 (60 min) or CHF 150 (90 min); from other cantons CHF 150 or CHF 225. Surcharge for special opening times: CHF 80 per started hour.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Dogs are not allowed in the museum.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Programs for young visitors in all departments: children's quiz with host Kaspar Freuler, a children's birthday party “Eine Krone zum Geburtstag” (A Crown for the Birthday; up to 10 children, CHF 200), and interactive school-class tours such as “Wir machen Blau!” on textile printing and “Dornröschen im Palast” (Sleeping Beauty in the Palace).

Getting there & parking

By car via the A3 (Zürich–Sargans–Chur) to the Niederurnen exit, then toward Glarus and on to Näfels; the Freuler Palace is in the village center.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop at the reception. For coffee and cake, the foundation recommends the Café-Konditorei Müller at Bahnhofstrasse 11 in Näfels.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 200 guests.

Rentable spaces: the festival hall (about 70 m², concert seating for 80 people), the garden hall/Sala Terrena (standing reception up to 100 people), the Remise (standing reception 50, dinner 40) and the Freuler Garden (up to 200 people). The wedding room (about 50 m²) is booked through the civil registry office in Glarus.

Plan your visit