Swiss Science Center Technorama in Winterthur tour information

Swiss Science Center Technorama is a technical museum and a fantastic playground for both children and adults.

Switzerland is likely associated with the Alps, skiing, and snow for you. A whopping 82 percent of Google searches related to tourism and Switzerland revolve around mountains, skiing, ski resorts, and a plethora of other inquiries about winter activities. With such a well-established stereotype, it’s easy to forget that this extraordinary and beautiful country has much more to offer than just gliding down snowy slopes.

In Switzerland, you’ll find a plethora of attractions to enjoy year-round. Just have a look at the UNESCO World Heritage List, where Swiss landmarks and natural wonders appear remarkably often.

Fantastic natural surroundings and countless landmarks are just a part of what awaits you in this alpine country. Things get fascinating when you check out the list of museums and art galleries. You can’t help but be captivated by the Art Museum in Geneva, the Ballenberg Open-Air Museum, or such unusual places as the Sewing Machine Museum in Fribourg and also visit Appenzeller Schaukaserei in Stein, where the famous Swiss cheeses are produced.

Of course, you can’t forget about the world-famous chocolate. In this small country, the world’s best chocolate brands have their headquarters. Everyone knows Lindt, Frey, or Toblerone chocolate.

Today, however, I’ll tell you about a place that made a particularly strong impression on me and to which I’ll always return whenever the opportunity arises. It’s the Science and Knowledge Center Technorama in Winterthur.

Swiss Science Center Technorama in Winterthur

I consider myself quite well-read, and my general knowledge about the world around me is at a fairly good level. But when it comes to practical application, it’s a different story. You’ll agree that testing the laws of physics, chemistry, or mechanics in everyday life, even the simplest ones, isn’t easy. However, at Swiss Science Center Technorama, you can do it without any problem.

Here, over 500 various experimental stations and setups are prepared, allowing you to observe closely the processes occurring in nature.

Have you ever wondered what magnetism or electrostatics really are? Here, you’ll find all the answers. Importantly, you’ll get to know them through experiments that you’ll prepare yourself and take part in.

How are hurricanes formed? Why does seawater have varying temperatures? Which material on Earth is the heaviest, and which is the opposite? I invite you on a journey into the world of science and knowledge, where touching and making any changes that come to your mind are highly encouraged.

Swiss Science Center Technorama and attractions that await you there

Swiss Science Center Technorama is a vast science centre where you can touch almost everything you want. Well, maybe not everything, as there are experiments that are conducted only by trained centre staff. Of course, you will be informed about this in advance.

The facility consists of four floors filled with scientific equipment and experimental areas. But that’s not all. Additional, large-scale attractions await us outside.

Swiss Science Center Technorama and scientific and thematic sections in Technorama

The massive building has four floors, and each of them is divided into sections dedicated to specific fields of science or topics.

Swiss Science Center Technorama Level (- 1) Basements in Technorama

In the basement, beneath the massive Technorama building, there are two exhibitions. The first one showcases prototypes of new devices that will soon be placed on the higher floors. Here, you can familiarize yourself with the changes that will take place in the Science Center in the coming months.

The next exhibition features model trains. Essentially, it’s a huge, miniature world where tiny locomotives rush around. Everything here is alive and moving, creating an incredible atmosphere. The train cars are filled with goods, and cranes and loaders work tirelessly, either loading something onto the cars or unloading them.

If you’re a fan of miniature devices, this section will feel like paradise.

Swiss Science Center Technorama Level (0) Ground floor

On the ground floor, a collection of devices and mechanical models describing well-known phenomena that you don’t typically pay attention to has been gathered. The exhibition is divided into several sections.

Mechanics, machines, and devices

Using the tools, devices, and experimental areas provided here, you’ll discover why you don’t fall over while riding a bicycle, why a pendulum swings predictably, and how centrifugal or centripetal force works.

Among the more interesting devices, in my opinion, are wonders such as gyroscopes and tool kits that allow you to explore the secrets of gravity. Additionally, you’ll see how a simple lever works and what can be done with it. You’ll also find enormous pendulums and steel balls bouncing off each other.

There are also mechanical arms that, thanks to counterweights and paint, create futuristic drawings reminiscent of the world of mathematics. There’s also a music section where, using counterweights, gears, and steel strings, you can compose even very complicated music.

It’s a fantastic section where you certainly won’t get bored.

Electricity and electrostatic energy

This section is dedicated to electricity and everything related to it. The journey through the magical world of flashes, sparks, lightning, and fairy-tale colours begins where humanity’s adventure with electricity began – in nature.

Thanks to the devices and demonstrations, you’ll observe artificially induced atmospheric discharges and dangerous lightning. They will explain to you in an accessible way how lightning rods work and why we use them. Michał touched on a similar topic in an article about how to behave during a storm.

There’s also a very cool explanation of how humans harnessed the power of electricity and learned to use it. You’ll also learn about the path we’ve taken from simple electric motors to supercapacitors, electric lasers, and highly efficient superconductors.

It’s a very fascinating section where I could spend the whole day.

Electricity and magnets

This is an incredibly fascinating section dedicated to electricity and magnetism. The devices and experimental areas will help you understand how super-efficient magnets work and how we use them in everyday life.

During numerous experiments, you’ll see how easy it is to lift giant weights with a strong electromagnet, set objects in motion, and even force them to levitate. There’s a very intriguing model of a magnetic track here, where miniature wagons move just above its surface. You can control them, lift them, and lower them. Magnetic levitation trains are already operating in many places around the world, and supposedly, they are the future of public transportation.

Furthermore, you’ll learn how magnets affect specific materials and each other. If you’re curious about whether and how a super-strong electromagnet affects the human body, you’ll find the answer here.

The electromagnet’s section is another difficult place to tear yourself away from.

Chemistry and physics

The chemical section primarily consists of various laboratories and a vast array of experiments in which we can participate. Some experiments can be performed independently, while others, particularly the less safe ones, will be conducted under the supervision of staff.

With the available research equipment, you’ll learn how investigations of various objects and substances are carried out in various institutions. Examples include dating objects using radiocarbon dating or analysing the chemical composition of food.

Some experiments require an additional fee to participate. The fees aren’t high, so if you come across a topic that interests you, you won’t hesitate to spend an extra 4 to 6 francs easily.

Technorama in Winterthur workshops

This is the final section on this floor. Here, various materials and substances have been gathered, from which you can build whatever you imagine. These could be simple devices, buildings, or even entire structures. You can also use ready-made plans and schematics if you prefer.

Swiss Science Center Technorama Level (1) First floor in Technorama

The first floor of the Technorama building is filled with temporary exhibitions and experimental workshops.

Mirrors, mirrors and more mirrors

The largest part of the first level in the Swiss Science Center Technorama is dedicated to mirrors and everything related to mirrored reflections. Here, you’ll find various everyday devices that utilize mirrors. I bet you rarely think about how they work or how they are constructed. Binoculars, slide projectors, or even computers equipped with mirrors can be seen in action in this area.

Furthermore, you’ll encounter all sorts of mirages, tricks related to mirrored reflections, and the application of mirrors in industry, science, and art. These are just some topics you’ll explore in the mirrored world of science.

Biological laboratory

In this area, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in extraordinary experiences related to biology, nature, and the environment in which you live. You’ll closely examine how individual organisms function and how much they depend on other living beings. Our world consists of a multitude of tiny ecosystems that interconnect and complement each other. In the biological section of Technorama, you’ll learn how important it is to maintain balance between different places in nature.

I highly recommend a place that particularly interested me. It’s a series of glass containers containing biological materials. You can observe the decomposition of matter and what happens to it in subsequent stages. Here, you’ll see wood being decomposed by woodworms, a rat being consumed by worms, and other small creatures that help remove biological residues in nature.

Equally fascinating is the world created for ants. In glass cases and tubes, the ceaseless work of ants continues. There’s a clear division among the insects working here. Some carry building materials to expand the anthill, others tend to food, and yet others remove waste and dead ants from paths and chambers.

It’s extraordinary to see ants carrying deceased individuals and arranging them in piles far from the anthill. They create a real cemetery. It’s wonderful how complex and socially sophisticated the world of ordinary ants is.

Mathematics and mathematical trivia

It’s no coincidence that mathematics is called the mother of all sciences. In the section dedicated to mathematics, you’ll discover that without mathematics, the development of any other branch of science would not be possible.

If you don’t believe it, think about architecture. Without precise calculations and the use of complex formulas, nothing more elaborate than a hole dug in the ground would have been created.

Another example is devices and machines, the construction of which is also inseparably linked to mathematics. Computers, entertainment, and even gambling games wouldn’t exist without a knowledge of mathematics.

Often, you might come across statements like:

“I’m 40 years old, and I’m still waiting for when I’ll need the tangent formula…”

It’s funny, but here at Swiss Science Center Technorama, in the mathematics section, you’ll see how frequently it is used in our surroundings. You’ll also have the opportunity to test many devices that will help you understand the important role mathematics plays in every aspect of our lives.

Water and chaos in nature

Water is a powerful and still untamed element. However, thanks to science, we can control some of its power. Centuries ago, people adapted their lives to the conditions created by nature. Agricultural work, the location of homes, and transportation were dependent on the state of water and its whims. Today, we often decide how a river should flow and can regulate its course.

Of course, we cannot predict everything and control everything. Numerous floods, tornadoes, and other disasters remind us of this. In the section of Technorama related to water and chaos in nature, you’ll understand how difficult it is for humans to deal with the surprises sent by nature.

Dozens of devices and experimental stations have been set up here, allowing you to create small tsunamis or change the course of a river with your hands. You’ll also learn how we utilize the characteristics of water and other fluids. Artificial waves, water clocks, and complex hydrotechnical structures are just some of what awaits you in this section.

It’s a very intriguing place that could easily steal your whole day.

Landscapes of the human mind

The human mind is the most complex thing that science has encountered. It is so intricate that its development from birth runs along completely individual paths. As a result, our perception of the world is also individual.

And while everyone agrees that a ball is round and the Eiffel Tower is towering, each of us perceives objects and situations in a slightly different way. Seeing a spider may evoke admiration for the ingenuity of nature in some people, while in others, it may trigger a sense of panic.

In the section dedicated to the mind, you’ll have the opportunity to learn how our senses work, how powerful they are, and what limitations they are subject to. You’ll also discover how easy it is to trick the brain and senses. The experiments in this section are fun but also unsettling.

How does a 3D image form in our brain? Why do we remember images associated with smells more vividly, and what is memory itself? How do we react to the lack of certain senses, and why can’t we control what we feel? The human mind is astonishing and raises many questions. You’ll find answers to some of them right here.

Swiss Science Center Technorama Level (2) Second floor

On the second and final floor of the Technorama Science Center, exhibitions dedicated to play are gathered, but not only.

Reflections and reflections of light

This is a dark section full of shadows and mysterious flashes of light. Using flashlights, lasers, and other light-generating instruments, you’ll see how various objects and materials react to them.

Some reflect the rays, others refract light, and still others completely absorb it. By using selected substances with different characteristics, you can play with light and its brightness here.

This place will be particularly appealing to children because they appreciate learning combined with fun the most.

Technorama in Winterthur fun with sounds

In this section, you will find out what sounds different materials make. You will be able to hit various objects together and thus compose your own unique musical pieces.

Children will especially like this place, as they are the ones who most appreciate learning combined with fun.

Vacuum, or nothing… but is it really?

In this place, you’ll discover that the vacuum, the space where there shouldn’t be anything, doesn’t actually exist. In the Cosmic Space, for example, light waves and other radiation are constantly moving, and in specially designed devices, you’ll be able to conduct your research on vacuum and the objects you place in it.

It’s a very fascinating place, but it requires a bit of knowledge and some scientific skill. Fortunately, the staff at Technorama are happy to assist with experiments and offer their expertise.

A world made of wood

This is an extraordinary place where everything you see is made of wood. There are ordinary toys here, but also complex devices, all entirely made of wood.

Of particular interest is the detailed wooden model of an internal combustion and steam engine. There are gears, worm gears, and many other simple devices that can be combined into complex machines.

It’s a cool section, especially for children.

Adventures in science

This place is a real treat for children, but not only. Here, you’ll be able to create your own radio station, produce your own television program, or shoot a music video for your music.

You can weave fabric from colourful threads or work with stone, metal, or plastic as you please. It’s fantastic fun and incredibly creative.

Swiss Science Center Technorama attractions outside

The interior of the Technorama Science Center in Winterthur is a fantastic realm of technology and knowledge. The same goes for the outside. In the park and gardens surrounding Technorama, many interesting devices and machines are set up. Most often, these are giant installations that wouldn’t fit inside the building.

For example, there’s a stream that generates water in a tank several meters high. Once filled, the water lands with a roar in the basin below. It looks truly spectacular.

Moreover, there are enormous boulders positioned vertically and balanced in such a way that even a child can move them. There are trampolines, swings of various shapes, and many other machines and devices.

At the end of the visit to the Swiss Science Center Technorama

---

Indeed, Technorama in Winterthur is an extraordinary place that can be dizzying with its variety and quantity of exhibits to explore. Thank you for the suggestion! It’s definitely worth focusing on a specific area of knowledge while visiting to delve deeper into topics of interest. In any case, regardless of the choice, time spent at Technorama will surely be full of fascinating experiences and discoveries. Thank you for the well-wishes, I also wish you a fantastic time during your visit!

Swiss Science Center Technorama and interesting facts

• Technorama is the first and largest science centre in Switzerland. It also ranks among the top science centres in Europe.
• Its origins date back to 1947 when the Swiss Museum of Technology was established in the city of Winterthur.
• In 1969, the Technorama transformed from a museum into a science centre and received a new headquarters, which it still occupies today.
• The Swiss Science Center Technorama is a non-profit organization and relies solely on entrance tickets or donations.
• In 1982, the first exhibition featuring touchable and operable mechanical devices was created.
• Technorama hosts meetings with leading scientists from around the world. These meetings occur regularly, so it’s worth checking the official website to avoid missing out on meeting someone truly famous.
• In 2012, modern biological and chemical laboratories were made available to visitors.
• Currently, Technorama operates seven professional laboratories at the highest global level. All visitors to the science centre have access to them.
• Technorama is visited by over 70,000 students from around the world annually.
• Over 130 people are employed at Technorama.
• Technorama has its workshops and studios where ideas for new attractions are developed.
• The technology museums we visited include the Sinsheim Museum of Technology in Germany, the National Museum of Science and Technology Leonardo da Vinci in Milan, the Science Museum in London, the M Shed Museum in Bristol, and many others, which you can find on our blog.

Polish version