Museum of Timekeeping and Mechanical Musical Instruments

The Museum of Timekeeping and Mechanical Musical Instruments in Thun offers a fascinating journey through the history of time measurement and automated music. Visitors can explore a vast array of clocks, from ancient sundials to intricate Swiss cuckoo clocks, alongside a remarkable collection of music boxes, barrel organs, and other mechanical marvels that produce sound without electricity. The museum is housed in a historic building, and its exhibits are arranged to demonstrate the evolution of craftsmanship and engineering in these fields. The experience is both educational and enchanting, with many instruments demonstrated or playable, filling the halls with melodic tones. What makes this museum distinctive is its dual focus on timekeeping and musical automata, highlighting the intersection of precision mechanics and artistic expression. Located in the heart of Thun, it's a must-visit for horology enthusiasts and anyone curious about the ingenuity of past centuries.

Don't miss

• See a rare collection of antique music boxes and automata that still play.
• Observe the intricate inner workings of historic clocks, including astronomical models.
• Listen to demonstrations of barrel organs and other large mechanical instruments.
• Learn about the evolution of timekeeping from water clocks to atomic time.
• Visit the museum's workshop area where restorations are sometimes visible.

Tickets & tours

Ways to visit Museum of Timekeeping and Mechanical Musical Instruments

Cheapest way inEntrance to the Leonardo da Vinci Science and Technology Museum4.2★ · 105 travelers1–3 hoursFree cancellationFrom$15 per personSee dates →Most bookedMusical Instrument Museum Self-Guided Tour Ticket in Phoenix4.9★ · 276 travelers3–4 hoursFree cancellationFrom$20 per personSee dates →Top ratedKunsthistorisches Museum Vienna and Imperial Treasury of Vienna4.5★ · 111 travelersFree cancellationFrom$37 per personSee dates →