Summary
Less than half an hour from Zürich, Winterthur is a mid-sized city located in the northern part of Switzerland. Historically, Winterthur served as an industrial hub, and it is primarily recognized for its advanced manufacturing sector. However, this city is undoubtedly worth a visit for a day or two, particularly for enthusiasts of art.
Winterthur boasts 17 museums, most of which are situated within the expansive pedestrian zone at its center. The city owes much of its cultural wealth to the 20th-century art collector Oskar Reinhart, who bequeathed a significant collection of valuable Romantic and Impressionist artworks to Winterthur. Families will find entertainment as well, with Technorama providing an unparalleled interactive science experience, and Kyburg Castle offering intriguing medieval exhibitions, including torture chambers and an armory.
Let us delve into the notable attractions in Winterthur:
1. Technorama
Technorama is a premier science museum in Switzerland, offering an exceptional hands-on learning experience. Within and outside the museum, more than 500 experiments are available for observation and participation, demonstrating natural phenomena and technological principles with remarkable clarity.
Visitors of all ages are encouraged to engage, with opportunities to create cyclones, levitate paperclips through magnetism, solve mathematics puzzles, and even tackle advanced calculus concepts through interactive laser games. Both children and adults will be captivated by the elaborate ball runs constructed of wood, featuring intricate systems of ramps and pulleys.
2. Oskar Reinhart Collection – Am Römerholz
Upon his passing in 1965, art patron and collector Oskar Reinhart generously bequeathed his impressive art collection to the city. A substantial portion of this collection is housed in a magnificent residence situated within a woodland area north of Winterthur, which offers stunning panoramic views. Reinhart had a keen appreciation for French 19th-century art, amassing an extraordinary collection that features masterpieces by Impressionists, including Monet, van Gogh, Degas, Delacroix, Sisley, Courbet, Camille Corot, Renoir, Manet, and Cézanne, among others.
Additionally, the collection includes earlier works by renowned masters such as Goya, Rubens, Brueghel, and Hans Holbein.
3. Oskar Reinhart Museum
The extensive nature of Reinhart’s collection necessitated the establishment of an additional museum, which now operates as part of the same foundation. Located on the outskirts of the Stadtgarten in a historic grammar school, this museum displays the numerous gifts Reinhart contributed to the city during his lifetime. The collection features works by artists from the Low Countries, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Notable names include Ferdinand Hodler, Carl Spitzweg, and Caspar David Friedrich. A highlight of the collection is Friedrich’s Kreidefelsen auf Rügen (Chalk Cliffs on Rügen), recognized as a seminal painting of the Romantic period.
4. Fotomuseum Winterthur
Located in a former factory, this prominent museum, along with the Fotostiftung Schweiz nearby, serves as a center of excellence for Swiss photography. Constantly hosting temporary exhibitions, many of which are organized by the foundation, it showcases world-renowned photographers such as Robert Frank and Nan Goldin. The museum’s permanent collection is compelling for its artistic approach to photography, featuring works from Vanessa Beecroft, Larry Clark, Hans Danuser, Nobuyoshi Araki, and Paul Graham. Additionally, it addresses photography as a practical medium, maintaining an extensive archive of images related to architecture, fashion, engineering, forensics, and medicine.
5. Kunstmuseum Winterthur
The cultural journey continues at Winterthur’s art museum, housed in a century-old building that also accommodates the Naturmuseum and Research Library. Even if visitors have explored both Oskar Reinhart locations, this museum is still essential to the itinerary. More Impressionist works await, featuring celebrated artists such as van Gogh, Monet, Cézanne, and Sisley. A modern wing was introduced in 1995, showcasing works by Ellsworth Kelly, Pia Fries, and Mark Tobey. Significant representations of early 20th-century movements, including Cubism and Expressionism, can also be found through the works of Picasso, Fernand Léger, Kandinsky, Le Corbusier, and Mondrian, while the sculpture gallery primarily showcases pieces by Giacometti and Delacroix.
6. Kyburg Castle
Designated as a Swiss heritage site, Kyburg Castle sits majestically above the Töss River. Its architectural features date back to between the 14th and 16th centuries, initially serving as the stronghold for the Counts of Kyburg before becoming property of the Habsburgs. From the 15th century through the late 1700s, it functioned as the residence of the regional governor, and the updated museum offers insights into his life and duties. Visitors can explore the original dungeons, a medieval kitchen, an armor collection, and a beautifully adorned chapel complete with 15th-century frescoes. Children are invited to engage with hands-on exhibits, such as testing a medieval bed, familiarizing themselves with historic spices in the kitchen, or even trying on a suit of armor.
7. Marktgasse
While Winterthur may lack the high-profile attractions of other Swiss cities, its central district certainly merits exploration. Nearly the entire old town is pedestrian-friendly, with cafes and restaurants extending into the streets during summer, along with intriguing side alleys waiting to be discovered. The vibrant Marktgasse, at the heart of this area, invites visitors to soak in the city’s atmosphere, while offering excellent shopping opportunities as it is lined with various Swiss and international brands.
8. Wildpark Bruderhaus
This wildlife park, located on Eschenburg—a forested hill at the city’s southern edge—is a premier destination for family excursions from Winterthur. The park is home to various European species such as wild boars, fallow deer, red deer, mouflons, bison, wolves, and lynxes, all residing in expansive habitats. Additionally, a herd of sika deer, a species native to Japan, can also be found here. There is a bus service available to and from the park on Line 12 between March and November, and the best part is that entry to the park is entirely free. Families can enjoy a picnic or grill in designated areas or have a meal at the park’s café/restaurant.
9. Naturmuseum
Housed alongside the Kunstmuseum, Winterthur’s Natural History Museum explores the region’s native fauna and flora. Its collection of historical specimens and taxidermies spans over a century, and in recent years, the museum has undergone revitalization to present its exhibits in more engaging galleries. Young visitors now have additional opportunities to participate; they can utilize tablets to earn “learning points” at designated spots throughout the museum, receiving a “fossil hunter’s diploma” upon completion of their tour.
10. Rosengarten
Winterthur’s rose garden is a fragrant retreat located a short distance from the old town center. Situated on Heiligberg, a prominent hill to the south, the garden was established in 1964 to commemorate the city’s 700th anniversary. Comprising 2,900 rosebushes from nearly 300 different varieties, many of which are historically significant cultivars, the garden is a seasonal delight best enjoyed during June and July. Regardless of the time of year, visitors can appreciate breathtaking views of Winterthur against its picturesque hilly backdrop.
11. Stadtkirche
Winterthur’s Stadkirche has hosted various forms of worship since the 700s. The current structure showcases a blend of architectural styles from different periods. The oldest section is the Romanesque-Gothic choir, which dates back to the 12th century, while the two towers were completed in the 14th and 15th centuries. Although the facade appears simple, the interior boasts vivid colors, having been painted in an Expressionist style during the 1920s by artist Paul Zehnder. Much of the church’s original decoration was removed during the Reformation in the 16th century. However, a notable ledger stone commemorates Elsbeth von Bach, a 15th-century benefactor, along with a 17th-century Baroque baptismal font that merits closer examination.
12. Gewerbemuseum
The Gewerbemuseum, or Museum of Applied Art and Design, investigates the intersection of industrial production, art, crafts, and design. This establishment is recognized for its innovative temporary exhibitions that cover a wide range of design principles and production techniques, showcasing intriguing everyday items alongside whimsical artistic concepts. Recent exhibitions have addressed industrial design as it relates to the adult industry, as well as the technological marvels underlying common objects. The museum occupies a grand former girls’ school built in the mid-19th century and includes the exceptional Kellenberger Collection, featuring timepieces from the 16th and 17th centuries.
13. Bäumli
When residents of Winterthur seek a scenic retreat for relaxation and contemplation, they head to the city’s favored lookout point, Goldenberg. From this tree-lined vantage point surrounded by vineyards, observers can identify landmarks within Winterthur’s skyline while enjoying the beautiful sunset behind the city. Access is possible via a steep trail beginning at Rychenbergstrasse. Upon reaching the top, visitors may indulge in a meal at Restaurant Goldenberg, where summer diners can enjoy alfresco dining on the terrace, while winter patrons are treated to the same stunning views from the cozy interior.
14. Münzkabinett und Antikensammlung
On weekends as well as Monday and Thursday afternoons, visitors can explore a remarkable collection of coins and antiquities held by the city. The Münzkabinett, or coin collection, has origins tracing back to the 17th century and now boasts more than 55,000 items. The collection primarily focuses on coins from the Roman and Byzantine Empires, but it also includes Swiss medals and coins dating from the medieval era to the 20th century. Among the 1,600 ancient artifacts, one can admire exquisite vases and glassware from Ancient Greece and Rome, all housed within Villa Bühler, a stunning 19th-century mansion located on the outskirts of the old town.
15. Rhine Falls
Europe’s largest waterfall is located approximately 20 minutes from Winterthur, right on the Swiss-German border. The attraction of Rhine Falls is not in its height but rather in the sheer power of the Rhine River as it cascades over a 23-meter drop spanning 150 meters. The summer months see the river at its wildest, with approximately 600 cubic meters of water flowing every second. The resulting noise is staggering, and several vantage points accessible via paths and elevators provide spectacular views. One of these locations inspired J.M.W. Turner during the 19th century when he created his painting of the falls. Neuhausen am Rheinfall serves as the departure point for various boat tours, which take visitors to the base of the falls, where the water’s force pushes vessels downstream.
