Schloss Heidegg

About the museum

Heidegg is first mentioned in 1185 with Heinrich von Heidegg; the oldest surviving part of the castle dates from around 1192. In the 13th century the complex was greatly expanded under the lords of Heidegg. In 1386 it was the only one of the neighboring Seetal castles spared by the Swiss Confederates, which later inspired a well-known Swiss legend. Several owning families followed, until the city of Lucerne acquired the lordship in 1700 and completed the castle building; in 1798 Heidegg became a state domain, first of the canton of Baden, and from 1803 of the canton of Lucerne.

In 1875 the American Caroline Slidell bought the castle together with the Lucerne resident Ludwig Pfyffer von Heidegg. The last members of the Pfyffer von Heidegg family assembled the collection that now forms the core of the museum, and in 1950 they gave the castle to the canton of Lucerne. The support association Vereinigung Pro Heidegg was founded at that time; soon after, the rose garden, new winegrowing and the Swiss Hunting Museum were established.

After the complete renovation of 1995–1998, the park, playground and rest areas were renewed. In 2013, tree-ring analyses established Heidegg as the oldest precisely datable residential building in the canton of Lucerne. Most recently, the tower cellar with its radio play (2017), the living quarters of the Pfyffer family as “Heidegg Home Story” (2023) and the castle garden (2024) were newly staged.

Highlights

• Heidegg Home Story: six staged living rooms of the last female residents of the castle
• Tower cellar stories: spatial radio play in the tower cellar, over 800 years old
• Kinder-Paradies in the attic with a dream castle and ball run
• Ancestral gallery in the great hall and Lucerne furniture in the castle tower
• Rose garden, castle garden and Heidegg winery

Permanent exhibitions

• Heidegg Home Story – The six living rooms on the fourth floor are set up as if the last noble residents had just left on a trip; actors' voices tell of the life of the Pfyffer von Heidegg family.
• Turmkellergeschichten – Animated spatial radio play on 800 years of castle history, in the tower cellar, which is over 800 years old and often the start of the tour.
• Kinder-Paradies im Dachstock – Play areas with a dream castle, ball run, crawl tunnels and a reading corner in the former junk room of the castle family.

Operated by

Vereinigung Pro Heidegg

Director

Luca Stoppa

Admission & discounts

Free admission with the Swiss Museum Pass, for Raiffeisen members with MemberPlus status, and for members of the Vereinigung Pro Heidegg (once per year). Discounts with the Migros Luzern voucher booklet, the Gästeverführer from Seetal Tourismus, the Gästekarte Luzern Land and KulturLegi; reductions cannot be combined. Subject to change.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• 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

Step-free access to squares and gravel paths; people with mobility impairments may drive up to the castle. The chapel is accessible at ground level. In the castle tower, six steps lead to the reception; with the lift (door opening 66 cm), wheelchair users accompanied by staff can reach the third to sixth floors, including the museum café. The WC on the fifth floor and the one by the avenue are accessible. The castle cellar is accessible with wedge-shaped steps after advance registration. Dogs are not permitted in the buildings or the castle garden.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Playground / play area

In the attic, the Kinder-Paradies invites play with a dream castle, ball run, crawl tunnels, pillow fights, soft building blocks and a reading corner; outside there is a playground and two fire pits. Children may only visit the castle accompanied by adults.

Getting there & parking

From Lucerne via Buchrain, Eschenbach, Hochdorf and Gelfingen; from Zurich via Muri, Müswangen, Hämikon and Sulz. From Gelfingen train station, a marked hiking trail leads to the castle in 20 minutes.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Lockers

Museum café on the third floor of the castle tower (self-service, house-made baked goods; eating and drinking in the castle is only possible there), museum shop, and lockers for backpacks and bags over 20 cm, which are mandatory. Picnicking is allowed in the park area by the avenue, the playground and the fire pits.

Events & venue rental

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

Weddings, birthdays, anniversaries and business events; a holiday apartment in the castle can also be booked.

Plan your visit