Turngeräte-Museum

About the museum

The Turngeräte-Museum was established on the grounds of the gymnastics equipment factory Alder + Eisenhut in Ebnat-Kappel, where equipment for schools and clubs has been built for generations. The occasion was the closure of the Swiss Sports Museum in Basel: some apparatus from the company’s founding period had been in its collection, and Robin Alder campaigned for these pieces to return to their place of origin. In 2020 the company, together with its own historical equipment, took over further pieces from the Basel holdings; the museum opened in 2022.

In a small space, the exhibition shows the development of gymnastics over the past 300 years, with a focus on school gymnastics in Switzerland. On display are well-known and rare pieces, from a pommel horse with head and tail from a knights’ academy, probably the oldest surviving example of its kind, to a Gerpfahl from the 19th century and the Rundlauf for girls’ gymnastics. Sketches, historical books, photographs and films serve as firsthand testimony; controversial topics such as the political side of gymnastics or gender questions are also covered.

A special piece is the “Universal-Turngerät”, invented by Emil Trachsler in 1884, which could be used as parallel bars, horizontal bar, swing and high jump equipment. Part of the display is dedicated to the company’s more than 130-year history. On the site of just under 30,000 square metres, a theme trail with 13 stations complements the museum.

Highlights

• Probably the oldest surviving pommel horse with head and tail
• 1884 Universal-Turngerät (parallel bars, horizontal bar, swing and high jump in one)
• 19th-century Gerpfahl and equipment for girls’ gymnastics
• Focus on school gymnastics in Switzerland, with books, photos and films
• Theme trail with 13 stations around the factory, also accessible outside opening hours

Permanent exhibitions

• Turnen – 300 Jahre Turngeschichte – Historical gymnastics equipment, sketches, books, photos and films on the development of gymnastics, with a focus on school gymnastics in Switzerland, and on the company’s history.
• Themenparcours – Walk with 13 stations on the company grounds on gymnastics equipment manufacturing, company history, nature and textile history of Ebnat-Kappel; also accessible outside opening hours.

Founded

2022

Operated by

Alder + Eisenhut AG

Admission & discounts

Additional activities alongside the guided tour (Gerwerfen, skittles, chair pyramids) cost extra and are offered as a quote.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• 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

According to museums.ch, the museum is fully wheelchair accessible.

Kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

There is a letter puzzle on the theme trail that can be solved after visiting the exhibition.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located on the company grounds of Alder + Eisenhut AG.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit