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The Hexenmuseum Schweiz/Museum of Witchcraft Switzerland offers a neutral place and opportunity to marvel at the diversity of the theme, the legends and beliefs of the Swiss people and to get to know a piece of history of us all. One is able to dismantle fears and prejudices, which in every age are topics that haunts humanity- until today.»

The exhibition  introduces the witch trials of Switzerland and Europe and sheds light on the effects of today.
This includes the presentation of the result of our intensive research on the remaining process files in the archives of Switzerland and the representation of all aspects that have belonged to the name «witch» and still belong today.

© Tibor Nad Visual Moments / Hexenmuseum Schweiz 

The exhibition opens a window into the history of Swiss folklore and superstition, tells sagas and revives the customs of our ancestors, explains the use of amulets and witch plants and makes use of the unconventional healing methods of the early days, in search of the universal remedy.

© Hexenmuseum Schweiz

The world of divination and mantic should not be missing, as Tarot, astrology, scrying, runes, Ogham and tea leaves reading.

© Hexenmuseum Schweiz

Magic formulas and spells are among the oldest records from all areas of the world. With Harry Potter we have been made aware of this again today. But where is the origin of Abracadabra and other hocus-pocus?

© Tibor Nad Visual Moments / Hexenmuseum Schweiz

Health and happiness are central themes in human life. In times of poor medical care, which were also characterized by a world view that took God-given whatever happens, man had to counter threatening life situations with little rationality. In addition to prayers, religious customs and rituals, a variety of plants, minerals, fossils, animals and animal products for healing purposes as well as to influence the personal fate, as protection against the countless dangers for body and soul, to ward off witches and demons and to avert natural disasters.

© Hexenmuseum Schweiz

The Hexenmuseum Schweiz offers a neutral but professional framework to deal with these exciting topics and to inform themselves.

The Hexenmuseum Schweiz is the only one of its kind in the German-speaking part of Europe.
Our collection includes more than 1’300 exhibits on the subject.
Witches also encounter us in everyday life through our language and expressions. Also, the «witch hunt» and the rather unfriendly name of a certain genus of women with «weather witches» are still common. When one asks what it’s like «when it comes to the devil» and where the name of «Black Peter» comes from, you have to go back in time to the witch trials.
Much custom is still maintained today, but without knowing the meaning or the origin. Or do you know why we should toast with glasses, knock on wood, do cross fingers and why to wear red underwear on New Year’s Day, never open an umbrella in the house, why the the black cat and Friday the 13th allegedly brings calamity?

Fotos ©Severin Bigler/Aargauer Zeitung und ©Hexenmuseum Schweiz

A look into history opens up many contexts, promotes understanding of the emergence of different names and our worldly concept. The encounter with our past allows a critical appreciation of the achievements.

 

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The Witch hunting and trials in Switzerland in the Middle age and the early modern age.

All over Europe people died during a period of about 400 years, innocent accused of Witchcraft or Magic. Women, men and even children were burned or tortured. Switzerland was an infamous place were more then 10'000 people were killed. A small country with an inglorious Witch hunt history. The exhibition will give insight into the popular web of magic and superstition,  with pictures, writing tables, original documents, listening stations and objects. A documentation of the magistrates witch hunt and the painful journey of a person indicted as a witch, by the prosecution to the pyre.