Museum Schloss Thun

About the museum

As early as the 12th century a noble residence with a ring wall stood on the castle hill. Under the Dukes of Zähringen the mighty keep was built around 1190, erected by Duke Berchtold V as a sign of his power over territory and trade routes. At a height of 14 metres lies a single large room, today's knights' hall, one of the best-preserved state rooms of the High Middle Ages.

For centuries the castle was the seat of the lordship of Thun and later of the Bernese governors, and it was altered again and again. In the roof of the keep there was a prison from the 17th century at the latest. In 1888 the historical museum moved into the keep. After the town of Thun transferred all properties except the keep in 2010 under a building lease, a conference and training centre, a hotel and a restaurant were created by 2014, and the museum received a new entrance and an additional exhibition room.

Since 2018 the building has presented itself as a museum castle with a unified permanent exhibition in which the structure itself becomes an exhibit. The collection comprises around 17,000 objects on the history of the town and region. Particularly significant is the ceramics collection with the largest reference collection of Thun majolica; it also includes a heraldic tapestry of Charles the Bold from the Burgundian spoils and an executioner's sword from Passau. The museum is run by the non-profit foundation Stiftung Schloss Thun.

Highlights

• Knights' hall in the keep from the High Middle Ages
• View from the four corner towers over Thun, the lake and the Alps
• Largest reference collection of Thun majolica
• Heraldic tapestry of Charles the Bold from the Burgundian spoils
• Medieval roof structure and former prison area
• Knights' trail, detective game and search fun for children

Permanent exhibition

• Das Historische Museum im Schloss Thun – The permanent exhibition leads over seven levels from the cellar with the history of the town of Thun via the knights' hall up into the towers; the building itself is part of the presentation.

Founded

1888

Operated by

Stiftung Schloss Thun

Director

Yvonne Wirth

Admission & discounts

Free admission with the Swiss Museum Pass, Museums-PASS-Musées, Raiffeisen Membercard, Swiss Travel Pass and for members of the supporters' association. PanoramaCard or guest card: CHF 8. With KulturLegi adults CHF 6, children aged 6 to 16 free. The detective game and search fun are included in the admission.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

A lift runs from the old town up to the castle hill; the castle courtyard is accessible by wheelchair. The permanent exhibition and the towers can only be reached by stairs; there is no lift in the building. For visually impaired visitors and groups of blind visitors, the visit is prepared individually on request; assistance dogs are welcome. An OK:GO profile with verified details is available.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Stroller-friendly: not available

The knights' trail of the three Lake Thun castles (Thun, Oberhofen, Spiez) lets children rise from page to squire to knight; the detective game and search fun "Made in Thun" are available at the ticket desk. Because of the many stairs the museum is not suitable for pushchairs; a baby carrier is recommended, and pushchairs can be left at the ticket desk or in the castle courtyard. In rain there is a bad-weather programme.

Getting there & parking

A lift connects the old town with the castle hill; the route via the City Ost car park has few barriers. The sporty route is via the church steps.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop

There is no catering in the museum itself; right next to it is the Schlosshotel Thun with a restaurant, castle bar and summer terrace. For groups an aperitif in the knights' hall is possible.

Events & venue rental

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

Up to 130 guests.

The knights' hall (banquet up to 60, standing reception up to 130 people; not heated, therefore only from early May to September) and the castle courtyard (only in good weather) can be rented.

Plan your visit