Stadtmuseum Aarau

About the museum

The Schlössli was built in the late 13th century, when the Counts of Kyburg founded the town of Aarau, and is the oldest surviving building in the city. Its core is a 25-metre-high residential tower of limestone and rough erratic boulders; a palas adjoins it to the north. The castle changed occupants often, from a knightly family to bourgeois families. In 1790 the silk ribbon manufacturer Johann Rudolf Meyer raised the tower and added a roof and staircase.

In 1930 the building passed to the City of Aarau as a donation from the estate of Colonel Emil Rothpletz. After a thorough renovation in 1931/32, the Schlössli opened as a city museum in 1939; for a long time it was a period-home museum.

Between 2012 and 2015 an extension on the west side was built to a design by Diener & Diener with Martin Steinmann. It connects to the old building with a new staircase and lift and opens the museum towards Schlossplatz. Since reopening in 2015, the house has shown the permanent exhibition "100xAarau", which tells the story of the city in 100 stories with over 1,100 objects; on the top floor of the tower, a camera obscura installation turns the city upside down.

The museum's focus is photography and film as the leading media of the 20th century, supported by cooperation with the Ringier Picture Archive. The museum also includes the Meyerstollen outcrop beneath the railway station and the Kern Collection of precision instruments from the former Aarau company, both accessible only with a guided tour.

Highlights

• Medieval residential tower from the 13th century
• Permanent exhibition "100xAarau" with over 1,100 objects
• Camera obscura on the top floor of the tower
• Focus on photography with the Ringier Picture Archive
• Meyerstollen outcrop and Kern Collection with guided tour

Permanent exhibitions

• 100xAarau – The permanent exhibition tells in 100 stories with over 1,100 objects who has left their mark on Aarau over the centuries.
• Camera obscura im Turm – On the top floor of the tower, a permanent installation turns the city upside down.
• Aarau im Bild – Photographs from 130 years, shown in the Markthalle at Färberplatz.

Founded

1939

Operated by

Stadt Aarau

Admission & discounts

Free with Museums-Pass-Musée, Swiss Museum Pass and Raiffeisen card, as well as for members of the Friends of the City Museum association (personal annual pass). All prices include VAT.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• 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 new building is fully wheelchair accessible, including the toilet; the old building (Schlössli) is only about half accessible, there are thresholds on every floor and three floors can only be reached via an old staircase. Two disabled parking spaces at Schlossplatz; accessibility information at zugangsmonitor.ch.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area
• Kids’ birthday parties

Mini-Spur from kindergarten age, children's trail through the current exhibition, puzzle tour, photo studio, stop-motion, children's birthday parties and a play corner in the foyer. The old building is unsuitable for prams, museum buggies are available; toilet with changing table.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located on Schlossplatz at the north-eastern edge of the old town.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop

Museum café in the foyer with tea, coffee, cake, aperitif drinks and savoury snacks; small shop; once or twice a month "Lunch at the Museum" (CHF 19 with short tour, registration required).

Events & venue rental

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

Up to 140 guests.

Event hall for up to 140 people (CHF 75/hour), foyer for up to 50 people (CHF 50/hour, shared use only during opening hours), wedding room for up to 15 people (CHF 200 flat rate); aperitifs on order.

Plan your visit