Museum & Galerie Weesen

About the museum

The museum shows the history of Weesen and the Lake Walen region. The museum association, founded in 2009, is responsible for the upkeep and operation of the museum and gallery in the building on Kruggasse, which it rents from the local municipality of Weesen. museums.ch gives 2010 as the opening year. Exhibits are provided by the canton, municipalities and private lenders.

On the first floor the focus is on the Roman structures on Lake Walen, such as the watchtowers and the Gallo-Roman temple near Weesen. This includes part of a shipwreck, considered the oldest cargo sailing ship in eastern Switzerland. The permanent exhibition on the second floor is devoted to the town of Weesen before 1388. Because of the abundance of finds from Old Weesen, the museum speaks of the “medieval Pompeii of eastern Switzerland.” In eight theme stations with text panels, visitors learn more about the Battle of Näfels and the location of the medieval town. Around 50 original finds are displayed in the cases, and at the market fountain the exhibition has people from the past tell their stories.

The gallery shows changing art exhibitions. According to museums.ch, the attic houses a collection of 19th-century oil paintings, watercolors and drawings from the Lake Walen region. For children and families there is the detective game “Abenteuer im Museum” (“Adventure in the Museum”), with large illustrations by Jörg Müller.

Highlights

• Roman structures on Lake Walen and the oldest cargo sailing ship in eastern Switzerland (shipwreck section)
• Weesen before 1388: around 50 original finds, the “medieval Pompeii of eastern Switzerland”
• Six tour routes through the medieval exhibition
• Detective game “Abenteuer im Museum” for families
• Gallery with 19th-century landscape painting

Permanent exhibition

• Dauerausstellung: Geschichte erleben – The first floor shows Roman structures on Lake Walen and a shipwreck. The second floor presents medieval Weesen before 1388 in eight theme stations with around 50 original finds.

Founded

2010

Operated by

Museumsverein Weesen

Admission & discounts

The rate for club members is the same as the group rate (CHF 4).

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• 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

The exhibition rooms are spread over three floors and, according to the museum, are well accessible for people with disabilities thanks to stairlifts.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

The detective game “Abenteuer im Museum” leads children through the exhibition with a companion booklet and pencil, using questions. Anyone who knows the solution word receives a small prize from the treasure chest. The exhibition also appeals to teenagers.

Getting there & parking

From the harbor it is about a three-minute walk.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit