Cabinets of Curiosities and Thematic Rooms
In over 20 rooms and across 1,500 m2 of exhibition space, the Burgdorf Castle museum presents the history of the castle, the city and region and its links to the wider world and the present day in an engaging multimedia format. The Rittersaalverein’s historic collection, the ethnological collection and the artefacts from the Goldkammer collection are combined in the ‘cabinets of curiosities’ concept designed by Groenlandbasel-Fischteich, which takes visitors on a journey through the past and into the future.
The museum invites visitors to explore the following subjects:
The Zähringens and the Middle Ages:
who were the Zähringens and what was life like in the castle during the Middle Ages?
Both sides of Burgdorf society:
what was it like living in Burgdorf as a member of the emerging bourgeoisie, and as a servant?
Pestalozzi and education:
how has teaching and learning changed over the past 100 years?
Industry and the city:
how has Burgdorf developed over the centuries?
Coming and going:
who brought new ideas to Burgdorf and who wanted or was compelled to break out into the wider world?
Panning for gold:
what is so fascinating about this particular shiny metal?
Legal information and support
Cabinets of curiosities – legal information and support (PDF)
A look at the new exhibitions:
Entry to the cabinets of curiosities. © Verena Menz
Shadow theatre portraying the founding legend with Bertram and Sintram. © Verena Menz
View of the wall-top walkway. © Verena Menz
The Maritz canon from 1759 in the gateway tower. © Verena Menz
View of the armoury with armour from knights and Samurai. © Verena Menz
The keep offers an inviting climb. © Verena Menz
The exhibition on gold panning. © Verena Menz
Go on a journey through the cabinet of curiosities themed around ‘Travel’. © Verena Menz
Following in Pestalozzi’s footsteps at Burgdorf Castle. © Verena Menz
The Emmental house organ and a slit drum from the cabinet of curiosities themed around ‘Sound’. © Verena Menz
A visit to Heinrich Schiffmann’s salon.
The light and sound show in the old courtroom presents cases from across four centuries. © Verena Menz
View of the Läuferstübli with the cabinet of curiosities themed around ‘Love’. © Verena Menz
The Schiltensaal featuring grisaille paintings from 1668 also serves as a ceremony location. © Verena Menz
The cabinet of curiosities themed around ‘Power and powerlessness’ in the large hallway. © Verena Menz
The historic knights’ hall as it was built by the Dukes of Zähringen in 1200. © Verena Menz
The castle chapel with frescos from the 14th century. © Verena Menz
Living and working in Burgdorf and the surrounding region. © Verena Menz
The multimedia show on regional development. © Verena Menz
‘Coming and going’ tells the story of five historical figures. © Verena Menz