Music Museum, Basel

The Music Museum in Basel is a captivating journey through five centuries of music history and boasts the country's largest collection of musical instruments. As part of the Basel Historical Museum, it offers insights into the region's rich musical heritage through three thematic areas: the history of music-making in Basel; music for concerts, choirs, and dances; and the role of music in parades, festivals, and signals.

Opened in its current form in 2000, the museum is housed in the Lohnhof, a historic building complex that traces its origins to a 13th-century Augustinian monastery. Over time, this structure served varied purposes, including as a municipal builder's yard and later as a prison from 1835 to 1995. Today, the museum incorporates these layers of history, with its former prison cells ingeniously repurposed into exhibition spaces.

The museum's collection exceeds 3,000 instruments spanning the 15th to the 20th centuries, with around 650 items displayed in the permanent exhibition. Notable pieces include the famous Ab Yberg organ, a bass viola da gamba by Joachim Tielke, and a stunning virginal from 1572. Many of the instruments are complemented by a multimedia system providing audio excerpts and detailed explanations in German, French, and English.

Arranged across three floors, the exhibits are organized thematically, with each cell focusing on specific instruments or broader social contexts. Highlights include instruments used for ceremonial occasions, such as drums and fanfare trumpets; artifacts connected to Basel's vibrant music societies and the Fasnacht carnival traditions; a dedicated space to the 20th-century revival of early music, a movement in which Basel played a pivotal role. Additionally, visitors can explore historical keyboard instruments crafted or used in Basel and admire artworks like Joseph Esperlin's 1757 oil paintings and a 16th-century allegory of music.

Recognized as a Swiss heritage site of national significance, the Music Museum is not only a repository of historical treasures but also a testament to Basel's enduring role in the world of music.