Sauriermuseum

About the museum

The dinosaur finds from the clay pit near Frick have been scientifically excavated since 1976. A small exhibition room was set up as early as 1978 in the premises of Tonwerke Keller AG. After a complete Plateosaurus skeleton came to light in 1985, the idea of a proper museum took shape. It opened in autumn 1991 in the basement of the Schulhaus 1912 on Schulstrasse.

The museum is an institution of the municipality of Frick; a dinosaur commission with representatives of the municipality, the canton and the scientific community oversees it. It is staffed on Sundays by a team of employees. The exhibition is continually expanded: in 1999 a wall relief of a Plateosaurus was added, later the finds of Switzerland's first predatory dinosaur and of a turtle. In 2016 the museum celebrated its 25th anniversary.

In autumn 2024 the municipality received an old production hall from Jakob Müller AG. Since 30 March 2025 it has been open to visitors as the Saurierhalle with a viewable storage area and shows the path from excavation through preparation to the finished exhibit. The museum names as its goal a new, independent dinosaur museum. A dinosaur educational trail also leads from the museum through the village to the fossil hammering site.

Highlights

• Complete Plateosaurus skeleton in its original position – the only one in Switzerland
• Switzerland's first predatory dinosaur with stomach contents
• Fossils from the Triassic and Jurassic and a film about the history of the discovery
• Saurierhalle with viewable storage and a live preparation demonstration on the first Sunday of the month
• Dinosaur educational trail and fossil hammering site

Permanent exhibitions

• Plateosaurus – Complete skeleton of the dinosaur, over 200 million years old, from the clay pit near Frick, plus a film about the history of its discovery.
• Raubdino – Skeleton of Switzerland's first predatory dinosaur, including stomach contents and skull; the species was named Notatesseraeraptor frickensis.
• Saurierhalle (Schaudepot) – New hall next to the museum showing the path from excavation through preparation to the finished exhibit.

Founded

1978

Operated by

Gemeinde Frick

Admission & discounts

Discount or free admission for holders of the KulturLegi, the Familienpass Basel and for VMS members. No museum passes are valid. Payment by cash, TWINT or card.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: not available
• 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

Neither the museum nor the Saurierhalle is wheelchair accessible; access is via a staircase. Entrance at the rear of the Schulhaus 1912. Pets are not allowed.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

The museum explicitly describes itself as suitable for families. Dino birthday parties from age 6 with crafts, a tour and an afternoon snack (Zvieri); escape game from age 9. At the fossil hammering site, children can search for fossils themselves (bring your own tools; steep gravel path, only partly suitable for pushchairs). Dinosaur educational trail through the village with eight stations. Adventure Sundays in summer with the help of fossil collectors.

Getting there & parking

By car via the A3, exit Frick; in the centre (at the Güggeli-Pub) turn left onto Schulstrasse towards Gipf-Oberfrick. From Aarau via the Staffelegg. Sat-nav to the hammering site: “Ziegeleistrasse”, not “Gruhalde”.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Small shop with dinosaur books, figures, stationery and toys.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit