Logo

Historisches Museum Basel – Music Museum

The Musikmuseum in Basel, Switzerland, houses the largest collection of musical instruments in Switzerland. Located in the Lohnhof, a former monastery and later prison, it displays around 550 European instruments from five centuries in 24 former prison cells. The collection includes the oldest long trumpets in the world, a viola da gamba by Joachim Tielke, and a piano from the Mozart era. The museum also hosts changing temporary exhibitions.

Families and Kids

The Musikmuseum offers a family programme with music workshops where children, accompanied by an adult, can discover historical musical instruments through puzzling, listening, playing and crafting. The museum is a popular destination for families from Basel and the region.

Information

  • Visit duration: 90min
  • Barrier free: Yes
  • For rainy days: Yes
  • Free entrance: No
  • Price range: $$
  • Topic: Culture and ethnography
    • Guided tours: Yes
    • Workshops: Yes
    • Children experience: Child friendly
    • Children age group: 6-12, 12-18
    • Children activities: Workshops, Interactive exhibits

Opening hours

Open Wednesday to Sunday from 11:00 to 17:00.
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
11:00-17:00
Thursday
11:00-17:00
Friday
11:00-17:00
Saturday
11:00-17:00
Sunday
11:00-17:00

Admission fees

18 CHF
Adult admission
12 CHF
Persons under 18 years (with ID), persons in education up to 30 years (with ID), KulturLegi, artists with ID, Pro Helvetia employees with ID, IV beneficiaries including one supporting companion.
0 CHF
Children under 13 years.
0 CHF
Happy Day (first Sunday of the month, excluding holidays) and Happy Hour (last hour, excluding Sundays and holidays, excluding the special exhibition at the Barfüsserkirche).

Contact

Webpage
musikmuseum.ch
Email
hmb@bs.ch
Address
Im Lohnhof 9, 4051 Basel

FAQ

  • Is the Musikmuseum accessible for wheelchair users?
    A lift serves all levels of the building except the cloakroom on the first basement level. There is a wheelchair-accessible WC on the third upper floor. Two special wheelchairs are available on site for visiting the so-called 'exhibition cells' which are only about 60 cm wide.
  • Can I visit the Musikmuseum with a ticket for the other HMB houses?
    Yes. With one ticket you have access to all three exhibition houses (Barfüsserkirche, Haus zum Kirschgarten and Musikmuseum). The ticket is valid for seven days.
  • Is there a museum shop at the Musikmuseum?
    Yes, the shop at the Musikmuseum offers sheet music, musical toys, books and musical souvenirs to take the world of music home with you.
  • How do I reach the Musikmuseum by public transport?
    The Musikmuseum is located at Im Lohnhof 9 in Basel's old town. Take tram line 3 to the Musik-Akademie stop.

Included in