Zwingli Geburtshaus
Birthplace of the Reformer Huldrych Zwingli in Wildhaus, a Toggenburg log house from the 15th century with a parlour, kitchen and sleeping chambers.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Reformer Huldrych Zwingli was born on 1 January 1484 in this house in the Wildhaus district of Lisighaus. The log house with its flat shingle roof dates from the 15th century and is considered one of the oldest surviving farmhouses in Switzerland; according to the memorial site, it was built by the Reformer’s grandfather.
In the 19th century the house served as a school and secondary school. Later several Reformed cantonal churches bought it and had it thoroughly renovated in 1897. In 1900 it was given as a gift to the Evangelical Reformed Church of the Canton of St. Gallen, which has kept it open as a memorial ever since.
The tour leads through the living rooms on the ground floor and the sleeping chambers on the upper floor. On display are the late-Gothic carved beamed ceiling of the parlour, the open hearth in the kitchen, an offering box from the Grossmünster in Zurich, Bibles from the 16th to 18th centuries and a facsimile edition of the 1531 Zwingli Bible. Furnishings and household items are partly on loan and partly copies. The house is looked after by the Zwinglianische Gesellschaft Wildhaus-Alt St. Johann.
Highlights
- Birthplace of the Reformer Huldrych Zwingli (1484)
- Late-Gothic beamed ceiling in the parlour and open hearth in the kitchen
- Offering box from the Grossmünster in Zurich
- Bibles from the 16th to 18th centuries and facsimile of the 1531 Zwingli Bible
- One of the oldest surviving farmhouses in Switzerland
Permanent exhibition
- Zwinglis Geburtshaus – Tour through the parlour, kitchen and sleeping chambers of the farmhouse, with Bibles from the 16th to 18th centuries and a facsimile edition of the 1531 Zwingli Bible.
- Founded
- 1910
- Operated by
- Zwinglianische Gesellschaft Wildhaus-Alt St. Johann
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Groups (10+ people) | CHF 2 per personGuided tour for groups of 10 or more outside opening hours: CHF 20 base price per group plus CHF 2 per person |
|---|---|
| Guided tour for groups of 10 or more (German, English, French) | CHF 20Base price per group plus CHF 2 per person |
| Guided tour for groups of fewer than 10 people | CHF 40Minimum amount |
According to the museums.ch entry, visits during regular opening hours are free. Request group tours at least 48 hours in advance.
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 house is on the main road in the Lisighaus district. Coming from Nesslau, turn right after the Hotel Toggenburg; coming from Buchs, turn left after the Drogerie Abderhalden. After about 75 metres the Zwinglihaus is on the left, opposite the Hotel Friedegg.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
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Events & venue rental
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Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Individuals and small groups visit the house without registration and without a guide. Guided tours for groups are available in German, English and French. |
