Ortsmuseum Schänis

About the museum

The first local museum of Schänis was housed in the former chaplaincy for 25 years. museums.ch lists 1992 as the museum's opening year. In 2017 the local museum was redesigned from the ground up and moved to the Eichen leisure and cultural center. It is run by the Kulturverein Schänis (Schänis Cultural Association).

Today's exhibition invites visitors on a voyage of discovery “auf den Spuren der Schänner Geschichte” (“on the traces of Schänis history”). It presents personalities who shaped the village, explains historically significant field names and tells legend-shrouded stories. Key themes are Schänis history, “Schänis von A bis Z” (“Schänis from A to Z”), legends and field names, and names and numbers. The concept combines the analog with the digital age and offers an audiovisual and tactile experience.

The museum is supplemented by a video archive with aerial footage of Schänis, a public photo archive to which residents can contribute pictures from the village and the outlying hamlets, and the “Schänner Lied” as a musical contribution to local history. There is also the Museumsweg, an open-air museum with 13 stations. Alongside the permanent exhibition, the association regularly shows changing exhibitions by regional artists and village associations.

Highlights

• Newly designed permanent exhibition (2017) on Schänis history
• “Schänis von A bis Z,” legends, field names, and names and numbers
• Analog and digital elements with an audiovisual and tactile experience
• Video archive with aerial footage and a public photo archive
• Museum trail with 13 stations through Schänis and the outlying villages

Permanent exhibitions

• Auf den Spuren der Schänner Geschichte – Permanent exhibition on prominent personalities, historically significant field names and the legends of Schänis, combining analog and digital elements.
• Museumsweg Schänis – Open-air museum with 13 stations, including St. Nepomuk Church, the Gallusturm, the Kreuzstift and the Niederwindegg castle ruins, with information steles and an interactive map.

Founded

1992

Operated by

Kulturverein Schänis

Admission & discounts

Opening dates for the 2026/27 season have not yet been published.

Accessibility

Opening dates for the 2026/27 season have not yet been published.

Kids & families

Opening dates for the 2026/27 season have not yet been published.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

Opening dates for the 2026/27 season have not yet been published.

Events & venue rental

Opening dates for the 2026/27 season have not yet been published.

Plan your visit