Zug Castle

The winding castle on the edge of Zug's old town is the oldest surviving secular building in the town of Zug and one of its landmarks. Once the seat of medieval lords and later the representative residence of important Zug families, Zug's historical museum has been housed in the castle since 1983.

A cultural history of Zug from the Middle Ages to modern times

The permanent exhibition is composed of rooms themed around different aspects of Zug’s history and of the former inhabitants of the castle, from the Middle Ages and the universe of French baroque right up to a 20^th century chemist’s shop. In this way, each visit holds something new and fascinating. Not only are the rooms filled with history, but the building itself with its distinctive features is worth spending some time on. Enjoy a coffee in the cafeteria or in the courtyard, or stay for a game of chess or draughts in the Blue Room.

Temporary exhibitions provide an in-depth look at current or historical topics linked to the history of Zug or of Switzerland. You can find further information on current temporary exhibitions at www.burgzug.ch

Different events and guided tours take place all year round. Varied events like the Swiss National Day or the Day of Swiss Castles invite the public to revisit and browse the museum again in different ways. Information on current events can be found in the calendar on the website.  

Offers for children and families

The castle is also a perfect destination for children and families. Apart from the Games room and the crafts workshop, age-appropriate activities invite young explorers to explore the castle in a fun, interactive way, whether by following the cartoon strip character Lili, with a kit for very young kids, or by using their smartphone in a treasure hunt for the older children. Linked to each temporary exhibition, the museum also offers activities for children to take part in, either on their own or accompanied. For children’s parties, the castle can offer a themed programme lasting two hours, complete with guided tour, crafts and a cake.

Zug Castle past and present

The origins of the castle date back to the 12^th century, although there are traces of settlement that are even older. Architectural investigation has enabled 26 different architectural periods from the 8^th to the 20^th century be reconstructed. We do not know who constructed the castle. Around 1300, it belonged to the Habsburgs, who temporarily pledged it to the Knights of Hünenberg. After Zug was forced to join the Confederation in 1352, Pierre V of Hünenberg became the first private owner of the castle. Over the following centuries, the building served as a prestigious dwelling for important families of Zug. Between 1979 and 1982, large-scale restoration work took place before the opening of the museum in 1983. The museum collects, documents and teaches the history of Zug from the High Middle Ages up to the present day.