Vindonissa-Museum

About the museum

The Vindonissa Museum goes back to the excavations in the amphitheatre of Windisch, which began in 1897 and soon yielded rich finds. To protect and present these finds, the Pro Vindonissa society was founded; from 1903 it planned a museum building of its own and raised the necessary funds through, among other things, an exhibition and an open-air play in the amphitheatre. The competition for the building was won by the Brugg-born architect Albert Froelich; after the foundation stone was laid in 1910, the museum opened on 28 April 1912.

The building on Eisiplatz has been preserved largely in its original state to this day. With its entrance front, the Art Nouveau building recalls a Roman camp gate; in front of it stands a sculpture of the Capitoline she-wolf, medallions on the long sides show emperors of the first century, and the interiors are modelled on a Roman house. Building, wall painting and display cases together form a total work of art. The building still belongs to the Pro Vindonissa society.

The museum was long run by the Aargau cantonal archaeology service; since 2017 it has belonged, together with the Legionary Trail Vindonissa in Windisch, to Museum Aargau. The permanent exhibition uses original finds, a model of the legionary camp, films, audio stories and play activities to tell of the daily life of soldiers and the civilian population. Particularly significant are the Roman wooden writing tablets, leather and wooden finds, equipment and everyday objects. A Roman ornamental garden has been reconstructed in the garden.

Highlights

• Largest collection of Roman wooden writing tablets
• Model of the Vindonissa legionary camp
• Original finds: weapons, equipment, leather and wooden objects, everyday items
• Reconstructed Roman garden with around 40 plant species (450 m²)
• Art Nouveau building from 1912 in Roman style

Permanent exhibitions

• Dauerausstellung zu Vindonissa – Shows daily life, food, weaponry and clothing in the Roman legionary camp through original finds, a camp model, films and audio stories; the focus is on the Roman writing tablets.
• Römischer Garten von Vindonissa – Reconstructed ornamental garden of the legion commander with a colonnade, fountain and around 40 archaeologically attested plant species on 450 square metres.

Founded

1912

Operated by

Museum Aargau (Kanton Aargau); Gebäude: Gesellschaft Pro Vindonissa

Admission & discounts

Free with the Swiss Museum Pass, Raiffeisen MemberPlus, Museums-PASS-Musées, VMS, ICOM and for members of the Pro Vindonissa society; 50 percent discount with the Kulturlegi. Aargau schools receive a 50 percent reduction on travel, admission and educational programmes. Admission is valid for the day; combination tickets with Aquarena fun are available online. Payment by cash, card, Twint and Reka-Card.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: not available
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: not available
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: not available
• Audio description: no information

The main entrance has steps and there is no lift in the building; the museum is not wheelchair accessible. The toilets are on the lower level and can only be reached by stairs. Lighting is bright and high-contrast, no Braille labelling, no induction loop; printed information on all exhibitions. In the Eisi car park there are spaces for people with reduced mobility, and the path to the museum is level.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly: not available

Self-guided tours for children such as the puzzle tour (from 7 years, about 45 minutes), "Spurensuche" (Tracking) and "Treasures from Vindonissa – Become an Archaeologist!" are included in the admission; there is also a regular family Sunday. The permanent exhibition offers films, audio stories and play activities. Because of the stairs, the building is unsuitable for pushchairs.

Getting there & parking

About 7 minutes on foot from Brugg station. By car via the A3: from Zurich and Bern take the Brugg exit, from Basel the Frick exit.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

Small self-service cafeteria (drinks, snacks, ice cream); museum shop with gifts and souvenirs. Free lockers (CHF 1 deposit); larger bags and rucksacks belong in the cloakroom. Picnicking in the museum and in the gardens is not permitted; dogs are not allowed.

Events & venue rental

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

Up to 25 guests.

Café, Roman garden and upper floor of the museum (each for up to 25 people) with coffee, croissants or an aperitif, in each case only in connection with a booked guided tour. Also for civil and church weddings, corporate and cultural events; reservations for the following year from 1 January.

Plan your visit