Admission Museum entrance fee Idyllic garden in the heart of the abbey complex Experience a special monastic atmosphere in the cloister garden of Wettingen Abbey: the idyllic garden with its meadow, yew tree, water basin and path is located within the abbey walls and surrounded by the cloister quadrangle. Throughout the ages, the cloister garden was designed as a spiritual garden with a central solitary tree. In monastic culture, the tree is reminiscent of the forbidden tree of knowledge in the Garden of Eden. On the other hand, it stands for life, as a symbol of Christ and the cross. Today's
Admission Free of charge English park, kitchen garden and plane tree avenue Discover secluded spots in the convent garden of Wettingen Abbey and stroll through the historic kitchen garden. A walk through the avenue, with its 200-year-old plane trees, is unforgettable. The convent garden – one of the first landscape gardens in Switzerland – extends from the abbey over three terraces down to the Limmat river. Fruit trees, a vineyard, a vegetable garden and a grotto invite you to stay a while. English park On the top terrace is the landscape garden designed according to the English model. The park is
Permanent exhibition Admission Entrance free 0 Stately summer residence The stately abbot's house is situated to the south-west of the abbey, near the river Limmat. You can reach it by walking from the north through the front garden, which has been laid out in the traditional style. Built in 1726 by Abbot Alberich Beusch, the abbot's house served as a summer residence for him and his successors and as a place to receive guests. On the upper floor of the abbot's house, you'll find yourself in a charming living and study area, furnished with period pieces. An animated film projected onto the panelled
Admission Free of charge Stately summer residence of the head of the abbey Stroll through the abbot's garden at Wettingen Abbey, and imagine how the abbot once received his guests here. The garden extends over three terraces. Stone steps, walls, perennial beds and trellises give the "Gnädig-Herren-Garten" (as it is also called in Wettingen sources) a Mediterranean flair. The abbot's garden (or prelate's garden) was moved several times in the history of the abbey. At one time it was even located on the small island in the Limmat, until it was laid out at its present location as the garden of
Audio tour Admission Entrance free History as audio play On a tour of the castle complex, you can learn all about the Habsburgs' rise to global power at six audio points. The Habsburgs established numerous towns and individual castles in what is now the canton of Aargau during the Middle Ages. They took over numerous fortifications from their sovereign predecessors, the Lenzburgs, Frohburgs and Kyburgs, and also held court at Lenzburg and Laufenburg castles. But who were the Habsburgs? How did they lay the foundations for a global empire, and how did they achieve royalty? The Habsburg Kings
Permanent exhibition Admission Entrance free Construction and settlement history In the tower of the rear castle at Habsburg is a small exhibition on the buildings' construction and settlement history. A three-dimensional model as well as text and picture panels illustrate the structural development of Habsburg Castle. Objects and illustrations give an insight into everyday life in the castle, covering topics such as food, water supply and living conditions. Spread around the castle grounds there are also nine panels with information and sketches on the construction history, with interesting
Audio tour Admission Museum entrance fee 0 Discover Hallwyl Castle In the many rooms at Hallwyl Castle there are individual numbers on steles as well as on portraits. By typing in the number into the "Museum Aargau Guide", you will hear either an overview text about the room or stories about selected members of the von Hallwyl family. Audio tour "Castle Tour" at Hallwyl Castle: men and women of the von Hallwyl family talk about their lives
Foxtrail Tickets Book your Foxtrail experience directly online at www.foxtrail.ch. 240 Fox hunting at Hallwyl Castle The “Foxtrail Hallwyl Castle” takes you on a journey through the legendary history of the Hallwyler family. Discover hidden puzzles and secret passages in the castle and solve the mystery of the Hallwyler family ring. Bookable trails: Foxtrail Hallwyl Castle Mini (1 to 2 hours) Foxtrail Hallwyl Castle (3 to 4 hours, with nature reserve) Foxtrail Hallwyl Castle: puzzles and secret passages in the castle. Book now!
Permanent exhibition Admission Museum entrance fee 0 Mill island with grain mill and garden On the mill island next to the castle you see into the workings of the grain mill, which was essential for the survival of the people. Having control over the mill and transport routes meant power and income for the lords of Hallwyl. Mill of Hallwyl Casle. See into the workings of the grain mill.
Permanent exhibition Admission Museum entrance fee Cigar-rollers in action In homage to Hansjakob Suter, the legendary curator of Hallwyl Castle in the 1970s, the granary displays the most important objects from his exhibition on customs and trade in the Seetal. In the granary, the focus is very much on tobacco and straw production in the Seetal, which experienced its heyday at the end of the 19th century. The fashionable straw hats became famous around the world and even made it all the way to New York. The exhibition also looks at midwinter customs from the village of Hallwil and traditional
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Habsburg Castle
Ancestral Seat of a Global Dynasty
The foundation stone of what was to become the Habsburg dynasty was laid at Habsburg Castle in around 1030. Exhibitions, guided tours and events present the history of the legendary castle and its noble family.
