MUSEUM CASTLE ZUG - HISTORY IS FUN!
Towering on a cliff above the eponymous town Lenzburg Castle is one of the most beautiful hilltop castles in Switzerland. The castle complex still standing today was built over a period of approximately 900 years. During this time it served as a residence of counts and bailiffs from Bern as well as being the private home of a wealthy American family. Visitors crossing the drawbridge and entering the courtyard through the castle's wooden gate immerse themselves in its 1000-year long history.
Castle life between 1415 and 1956
The museum illustrates the lives and times of the castle’s inhabitants from the times of the Bernese bailiffs during the Late Middle Ages, to the Renaissance and Baroque periods and eventually the lavish lifestyles enjoyed by the castle's private owners around 1900. Projections and audio installations describe the daily lives of the castle's former inhabitants.
Knights and nobles
From the 11th to the 15th centuries three aristocratic dynasties lived at Lenzburg Castle, the Lenzburgs, the Kyburgs and the Habsburgs. The newly opened knights’ exhibition features shadow films introducing visitors to the lives and times of select members of these three families. A knight’s lifestyle focused almost entirely on conflicts and power structures as well as courtly culture and the Christian faith. By exploring its rooms, visitors can learn more about the castle's former inhabitants.
The historical workshop
In the museum’s historical workshop visitors can learn what it meant to be a knight or weigh out the punishment for different crimes in early post-medieval times on the scales of justice. Learn more about the historical reality of life as one of the castle’s bailiffs or as one of the criminals who were once incarcerated here.
The children’s museum and the castle's dragon "Fauchi"
Which child would not want to live in a castle, be a knight or a princess? In our kids' corner children can dress up, do arts and crafts and discover the castle's hidden corners. In the dragon research centre they can learn more about the characteristics of dragons, and those who are brave enough can even meet the legendary dragon "Fauchi"!
Living history in its original setting
A wide range of events, guided tours, workshops and demonstrations of old crafts breathe new life into the castle’s ancient stones and a variety of cultural events such as the medieval market are popular tourist attractions.
Opening hours: Tue-Fri 2-5pm, Sat & Sun 10am-5pm; Mon: closed.
Schools and groups also outside opening hours on request.
Opening hours museum holidays: The museum is open on all national and cantonal (Zug) holidays as well as Berchtoldstag (2 January), Easter Monday, Whit Monday and St Stephen's Day (26 December) from 10 am to 5 pm.
The Museum Burg Zug is closed on Good Friday, 24 and 25 December and New Year's Day.
Individual visitors
- Adults: CHF 10
- Reduced: CHF 6
Groups
- Of 10 or over: CHF 8
Admission free
- Children and young people up to age 16
- Friends of Zug Castle
- ICOM/VMS
- Swiss Museum Pass
- Raiffeisen Member card
Admission free on the first Wednesday of the month
Guided tours
Guided tours: CHF 160 plus admission. Bookings can be made during opening hours by calling 041 728 29 70 or e-mailing info.mbz@zg.ch
Picnic facilities in the castle courtyard
Dogs are not permitted in the building
The exhibitions are partially wheelchair-accessible. For information see www.zugangsmonitor.ch
Self-service café in the castle with a small range of drinks and snacks. Seating available in the castle courtyard in summer.
Numerous restaurants and cafés within walking distance.
By train: Train to Zug, then bus to Kolinplatz (2-min. walk, bus nr. 3/5/11/14) or Burgbach (2-min walk, bus nr. 1/2/13
By car: Car parking in the immediate vicinity (Altstadt-Casino and Frauensteinmatt)
There are numerous sights and shops in the nearby old town. The old town market, offering fresh regional products, takes place every Saturday morning on the Landsgemeindeplatz by the lakeside promenade, while the seasonal Chriesimärt (Cherry Market) is held in summer.