Seemuseum Kreuzlingen

About the museum

The Seemuseum Kreuzlingen is housed in the former grain store (Kornschütte) of the Augustinian canons on the lakeshore. The building was constructed around 1680 as a storehouse, from which the monastery’s goods were shipped across the lake by sailing barges. After the monastery was dissolved in 1848, the building passed into private ownership and served an agricultural estate; later it fell into disrepair. In 1958 the town of Kreuzlingen acquired the entire Seeburg area; the shoreline was then built up with fill and is today a local recreation and nature conservation area.

In 1989 the Stiftung Seemuseum was founded; it took over the building from the town on a long-term building lease (Baurecht). The Kornschütte was renovated by 1993 and opened as the Bodensee-Fischerei- und Schifffahrtsmuseum. The founder and long-time head was Hans-Ulrich Wepfer (1938–2024). The museum is run by a small team and more than forty volunteers, who mainly work at the ticket desk and in the café.

On about 1,500 square meters, the permanent exhibition shows the development of shipping, from the dugout canoe through sailing barges to steam and motor ships, as well as recreational sailing with vintage sailing yachts. A second section is devoted to fishing, with original equipment from the period up to the mid-20th century; a third is devoted to the steamship Jura, which sank in 1864 after a collision off Bottighofen and today is considered an underwater industrial monument and diving site. According to its own information, the Seemuseum is the only shipping and fishing museum in eastern Switzerland and southwestern Germany.

Highlights

• Finds and components from the steamship Jura, which sank in 1864
• Original fishing equipment and vintage sailing yachts
• Audio walk “Fisch&Ships” with audio devices
• Historic grain store right on Lake Constance in the Seeburg park
• Café Seemuseum with lake views under the canopy

Permanent exhibitions

• Schifffahrt – From the dugout canoe through sailing barges to steam and motor ships: this section shows how Lake Constance changed from a working area into a place for recreation, including vintage sailing yachts.
• Fischerei – Original fishing tools, in daily use until the mid-20th century, and knowledge of the sustainable management of the lake.
• Geschichten vom Seegrund. Das Dampfschiff JURA – Original finds and components tell of the ship, the accident, the crew, the dives and the protection of the wreck off Bottighofen; supplemented by an interactive digitorial.

Founded

1993

Operated by

Stiftung Seemuseum

Director

Christian Hunziker

Admission & discounts

Prices are also given in euros (adults €9, reduced €5.50, families €16.50). Free admission with the Swiss Museum Pass, for Raiffeisen members and with the ICOM/VMS membership card. Holders of a KulturLegi receive 50% off admission. The café is accessible without admission.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• 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 exhibitions on the second and third floors are served by a lift, and a wheelchair parking space is located directly by the entrance. The vaulted cellar can be reached by a stairlift. Guided tours for people with visual impairments are offered on selected dates.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Digital scavenger hunts with the Actionbound app, family Sundays and game afternoons on selected dates. Children’s birthday parties “Bodensee-Piraten” for 5 to 10 children aged 5 to 8 last 120 minutes and cost CHF 150 plus material costs.

Getting there & parking

10 minutes on foot from Kreuzlingen Hafen station and the boat landing, 25 minutes from Konstanz station; the Lake Constance cycle path runs right past the museum.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Wi-Fi

The Café Seemuseum is run by volunteers and offers coffee, homemade cake and regional products; in good weather there are seats with lake views under the canopy. Free guest Wi-Fi.

Events & venue rental

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

Up to 150 guests.

Available for rent: the vaulted cellar (250 m², up to 150 people, with stage, usually from April to September), the foyer (100 m², up to 80 people, only outside opening hours), the café (70 m², up to 30 people) and the Seeschulzimmer (lakeside classroom, 50 m², up to 20 people) for celebrations, meetings and seminars.

Plan your visit