Seifenmuseum
Small association-run museum on the history, production and advertising of soap, with its own soap kitchen and workshops, in St. Gallen since 2015.
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About the museum
Since 2015 the Soap Museum has been devoted to the history of soap, its production, advertising and packaging. It is run by the Verein Seifenmuseum St.Gallen, founded the same year to look after and expand the collection and to carry out projects and temporary exhibitions. Operations are supported by the association's members and patrons.
In the museum, an old machine from soap production shows how soap was made. Historic advertisements give an impression of soap advertising in earlier times, and tools that two generations ago could still be found in every household offer insight into the cultural history of washing. In addition, there are soaps in great variety of colours, shapes and uses.
In the soap kitchen, the museum makes high-quality soaps using the cold process; workshops also take place there, in which participants make their own soap with a scent and ingredients of their choice. An annually changing exhibition is devoted to a new theme each time.
Highlights
- Old machine from soap production
- Historic soap advertising and household tools
- Soap kitchen with cold-process soap making
- Soap workshops (approx. 3 hours) for 2 or more people
- Guided tours and events on request
Permanent exhibition
- Sammlung zur Geschichte der Seife – Soaps in many shapes and colours, a historic production machine, old advertisements and household tools illustrating the cultural history of washing.
- Founded
- 2015
- Operated by
- Verein Seifenmuseum St.Gallen
- Director
- Vasco Hebel
Admission & discounts
| Adults | CHF 5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | CHF 3Teenagers (12–18 years) |
| Children & teens | CHF 3free up to age 12 · Teenagers aged 12 to 18 pay CHF 3; children up to 12 years are free |
| Guided tour (during opening hours) | CHF 40flat rate |
| Guided tour (outside opening hours) | CHF 80flat rate |
| Soap workshop (approx. 3 hours, 2–5 people) | CHF 119per person, including guided tour and making 1 kg of soap; for 6 or more people CHF 99 per person |
Free for association members and KulturLegi holders.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
The museum makes soaps in the soap kitchen; a shop is linked on the website.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
Rooms for group tours, corporate events, aperitifs and celebrations; on request, the team cooks in the soap kitchen.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided tours and workshops by arrangement, also for school classes and company outings; there are no fixed course dates. The soaps made in the workshops need to cure for about a month and are then collected or sent by post. |
