The Stone Museum is the only one of its kind in Switzerland. It is located in the heart of the picturesque old town, next door to the Jesuit Church, in a historic cloister with an inner courtyard. This small but fascinating museum is all on one floor. It displays unique stone items from a variety of eras, including a Roman altar to the goddess Epona from 219 BCE – which features the oldest known reference to Solothurn – and a 16th-century candelabra. Roman tombstones, impressive fountain columns and the remains of Solothurn’s old gallows are among the astounding items for visitors to admire.
Exhibitions
As a place ‘where the stones speak’, the Stone Museum primarily displays items made of Solothurn stone from the ancient Roman period through to the 19th century, along with the tools used to carve them.
Various film installations show how Solothurn stone is processed and how it has been used in the city of Solothurn. An array of state-of-the-art technological installations are available to explain the exhibited items and the use of Solothurn stone through the centuries. A wide range of informative presentations, films and slideshows are available via a user-friendly touchscreen system.
Guided tours
The Stone Museum offers guided tours for groups on request.
Offers for schools
The Stone Museum offers tours for school groups. Entry is free for school groups.
Accessibility
The museum is wheelchair accessible.
Accessibility for the visually impaired
The museum is the first in Switzerland to be accessible to the visually impaired.
Audio guide
The audio guide takes you to selected objects in the museum and on a walk through Solothurn's old town. The audio guide is available in German, French and English.
If you do not want to or cannot listen to the audio guide on your own smartphone, loaners are available at the Stone Museum or from Solothurn Tourism (contribution towards costs: CHF 5.00 per audio guide).
Audio guide for the visually impaired
The Solothurn Stone Museum offers audio guides that take visually impaired visitors through the exhibition and encourage them to touch and explore the items on display.
Hire for events
The museum offers guided tours for companies, associations and other institutions outside of the usual opening hours. These guided tours can be combined with an aperitif in the museum.
Good to know
- The Stone Museum is open from May to October. Entry to the museum is free.
