Aargauer Kunsthaus

The Aargauer Kunsthaus is one of Switzerland’s more important regional art museums, the main one of the canton of Aargau, on Aargauerplatz in Aarau, a short walk from the railway station and the old town. It grew out of the collection of the local art society, which began assembling works in the 19th century, and it has become one of the more important Swiss museums for art from the 18th century to the present. The building that visitors see is a combination of two periods: the original museum of 1959, and an extension completed in 2003 by the architects Herzog & de Meuron together with the artist Rémy Zaugg. The addition holds large, calm, top-lit galleries, and its restraint reflects Zaugg’s special concern with how art should be seen.

The collection covers Swiss art over roughly three centuries, with strong holdings from the 19th and 20th centuries and a continuing interest in contemporary work. Among the older works are paintings and drawings by Johann Heinrich Füssli, the Zurich-born artist who made his career in London, and the museum also has important Swiss painting from the late 19th century. Alongside historical material, the museum shows exhibitions by living artists and pays particular attention to artists from the region, which gives it a more lively character than a purely historical collection. Displays change regularly, with the permanent holdings rotated and combined with temporary solo and thematic shows, so it is worth checking what is on before going.

Beyond the galleries, the museum offers programmes for children, families and schools, and a reading room and art-education space on the lower level. A café and a shop sit near the entrance. The building is easy to navigate, with natural light, and visitors tend to find the layout straightforward. Practical details such as ticket prices and opening times change, so check the museum’s own information before you travel.

The museum’s setting helps. Aarau is a small, tidy city, and a visit fits easily with a walk through the Old Town, whose painted gables and carved eaves are a local feature, and with the natural history displays at the Naturama museum nearby. The Aargau region is better known for its castles and spa towns than for art, and the Kunsthaus gives a different angle on the canton. It is also a good option on a wet day.

The Kunsthaus suits art lovers, architecture fans who want to see a notable example of Herzog & de Meuron’s early work, families looking for hands-on programmes, and anyone with an interest in Swiss art beyond the big names of Zurich and Basel. Allow around two hours for a comfortable visit, a little more if there is a special exhibition you want to see.