In the Culture and History Museum you can experience the dramatic impact the watchmaking industry had on the community of Grenchen and how the standardisation of timekeeping affected people's life.
The southern foot of the Jura mountains has long been a centre of innovation. The world-famous Swiss watch industry has been based in this region since the 18th century. The major east-west traffic route also runs through the area - the A1 motowrway as well as the railway. More recently, numerous power plants sprung up like mushrooms along the river Aare.
The expansion of the railwork network led to the standartisation of time. Grenchen thus became a hotspot for the watch industry.
In the Culture and History Museum you can experience the dramatic impact the watchmaking industry had on the community of Grenchen and how the standardisation of timekeeping affected people's life.
The digital revolution has greatly sped up our daily lives. At the Enter Museum, you can trace the development of the computer from its beginnings to the present day.
The Enter Museum is home to the largest collection on the history of computers and electronics in Switzerland. Among other gadgets and devices, you can marvel at a still functioning Aplle 1 computer.
In the early days of the railway, it was a whole new sensation for passengers to experience the accelration of a locomotive. On request, the Historical Depot of the BLS Foundation in Burgdorf opens its doors to visitors.
The various vehicles in the Historical Depot of the BLS Foundation in Burgdorf illustrate how our mobility has evolved over time and thus show a piece of Swiss railway history. In addition to the operating vehicles, you can discover numerours railway objects in the archives, including a large collection of posters, brochures and uniforms. Railway enthusiasts can even book a ride in the locomotive simulator for a special highlight.
From the humble beginnings as a small family business, the Bally shoe factory in Schönenwerd quickly became one of Switzerland's most important textile producers. Soon, the shoes made in a small village in the Canton of Solothurn were being worn around the globe.
At the BALLYANA Collection of Industrial Culture you can relive the company's rise from a small family business to a world-famous shoe brand. Alongside a spectacular display of historic textile and shoe production machines, shoes and advertising brochures, the permanent exhibition re-tells this exciting piece of Swiss industrial history.
In addition, the BALLYANA archives are kept at this location. If you are interested, you can visit the archives by appointment. The historic doucments and photographs give you a close-up view of this successful entrepreneurial family.
The Canton of Aargau is home to many large industrial groups. ABB and Axpo, both in the energy and technology sector, the brewery Feldschösschen alongside numerous other companies have left their mark on the history of the canton and shaped the evereyday lives of its inhabitants.
Hence, the Museum Aargau strives to preserve the canton's industrial heritage for future generations. Around 55,000 objects lie dormant at the Egliswil collection centre; the museum's treasure trove. Since the millenium, industrial history has been a focal point of the museum's collecting activities. The museum focuses on objects that link industry with everyday history.
Switzerland is a railway country with both a dense rail network and an exciting history. From the first railway built in 1847 to the construction of the new Gotthard Base Tunnel, the longest railway tunnel in the world, the railway has truly shaped Switzerland – past and present.
The archives of SBB Historic in Windisch preserve the eventful history of the Swiss railway. The foundation houses the historical archives of SBB and its predecessors, a photo, film and videoarchive as well as the archives of the Swiss Locomotive and Machine Works.
Track down the watchmaking industry in Grenchen.
Railway engines, rides on historic trains and in the locomotive simulator
For this tour, we recommend travelling by public transport. Most locations have a direct rail connection to Olten. Thus, you can either follow the suggested order, or travel to the individual places from Olten.
Please plan your trip in advance and take note of the varying opening hours. The BLS Historical Depot in Burgdorf can only be visited on request. Thorough preparation is also recommended if you wish to visit the archives of BALLYANA and/or SBB Historic.
