True gems produced by the renowned and world-famous family-owned company, Margarete Steiff GmbH, Giengen (Germany), are now on display at the Spielzeug Welten Museum Basel. Who does not remember the moving shop window scenes during the Christmas season? They were always the highlight of a Christmas stroll.
Such mechanical showpieces, produced for advertising purposes, can now be admired in motion. The Wochenende im Tierreich (Weekend in the Animal Kingdom) is one of the show highlights. It was originally produced in 1928 with 47 Steiff animals. Some of these animals have special mechanical devices to enable them to move. The theme of this showpiece could apply today as well.
The animals enjoy a weekend in the wellness area. This includes a sauna visit, joint gymnastics exercises, and a small boxing match. The building complex was built in a very modern style for that period, based on the Bauhaus style. At over five meters long and two meters deep, the original showpiece had impressive dimensions.
Although best known for the invention of the teddy bear (1902), the Steiff family business is one of the largest and most important doll manufacturers in the world. Not least because of their diverse and artistically very valuable doll creations. From the beginnings of Steiff’s doll art around 1890 up to modern times, the toy manufacturer has always managed to inspire young and old with spectacular innovations and further developments. The felt dolls of the showpiece, Die Mühle im Grund (The Mill in the Country), are a wonderful example of this extraordinary skill. You will see a good 70 old original Steiff felt dolls in idyllic rural surroundings covering about 15 m2. A unique and authentic piece of European doll history, made in 1926 by the Munich doll artist and Steiff consultant, Albert Schlopsnies. The miniature people consist of humorous and characteristically reproduced realistic village and peasant types in their everyday work. These two showpieces were exhibited at the 1933 World’s Fair in Chicago.
Moreover, there are several smaller movable mechanical Steiff showpieces to be seen, as well as some impressive life-size ones. So, don’t miss it!
Mo Closed | Tu 10.00 AM - 6.00 PM | We 10.00 AM - 6.00 PM | Th 10.00 AM - 6.00 PM | Fr 10.00 AM - 6.00 PM | Sa 10.00 AM - 6.00 PM | Su 10.00 AM - 6.00 PM
Museum, Ristorante and Boutique: Tue. to Sun. from 10 to 18, in December, daily from 10 to 18
May Day 2024
30 April 2024: 10.00 AM - 4.00 PM
01 May 2024: Closed
Ascension Day 2024
09 May 2024: 10.00 AM - 6.00 PM
Whitsun 2024
20 May 2024: 10.00 AM - 6.00 PM
Swiss National Holiday 2024
31 July 2024: 10.00 AM - 4.00 PM
01 August 2024: Closed
Christmas/New Year 2024/2025
24 December 2024: 10.00 AM - 4.00 PM
25 December 2024: Closed
26 December 2024: Closed
31 December 2024: 10.00 AM - 4.00 PM
01 January 2025: Closed
Institution
Toy Worlds Museum Basel
With over 1,000 m2 on four levels, the museum is one of a kind in Europe. lt is located at the heart of downtown Basel and houses the largest collection of antique teddy bears in the world, together with historic dolls, toy grocery stores, dollhouses, carousels, and contemporary miniatures. Visitors from around the world come to marvel at the museum. Special exhibitions on select, fascinating topics are always being featured at the museum. Your own smartphone or tablet can be used as an interactive museum guide. ln-house Wi-Fi makes this service free of charge.
Admission
Standard entry CHF 7.00 Children and youth up to 16 years of age are free Children up to 12 years of age only when accompanied by an adult
Discounted entry CHF 5.00 Seniors Persons with disabilities (persons accompanying persons with disabilities who can’t visit the museum on their own qualify for free entry)
The entire building, including the boutique and Ristorante La Sosta, is accessible by wheelchair.
Museums-PASS-Musées Free admission
Swiss Museum Pass Free admission
Access
Barfüsserplatz is just a short stroll of about fifteen minutes from the SBB train station.
Another convenient alternative is the tram – take SBB Tram No. 8 from the train station to Barfüsserplatz or tram No. 11 to the Theater or Barfüsserplatz stop. From Badischer Bahnhof train station, take tram No. 6 to the Barfüsserplatz or Theater stop.
For visitors arriving by car, the carparks near the SBB train station (Centralbahnparking), Elisabethen, Steinen, or Parkhaus Badischer Bahnhof, are highly recommended.
Accessibility
The Museum, Restaurant and Shop are wheelchair-accessible. Access to the restaurant from the entrance area is via a 440 cm long, 110 cm wide ascending ramp (9.41% / 6.24°). A portable ramp can be set up from the entrance area to the shop.
All museum floors are accessible via a lift (door width 79.8 cm, depth 115 cm) with no thresholds or obstructions. The disabled toilet on the 1st floor is wheelchair-accessible: door width 79 cm, sitting height 41 cm, hinged handles and hand-rails are provided. The washbasin is designed for wheelchair users and the mirror positioned lower accordingly.
Floor surfaces: All museum rooms have parquet floors. The restaurant and shop have stone floors.
Restaurant: The restaurant presents no problems for wheelchair users and is accessible via a 440 cm long, 110 cm wide ascending ramp (9.41% / 6.24°).
Shop: A special mobile, collapsible ramp with side rail (200 cm long, 82 cm wide) is available.
How to get here: The use of public transport is recommended: From the SBB station, tram No. 8 to the “Barfüsserplatz” stop or tram No. 11 to the “Theater” or “Barfüsserplatz” stop. From the Badischer Bahnhof station, tram No. 6 to the “Barfüsserplatz” or “Theater” stop.
You may also come by car or use the Basle Municipal Disabled Persons Transport Service (Tel. 061 666 66 66, advance notification required!). Stopping briefly in front of the museum to allow passengers to get into or out of the car is permitted. Disabled parking spaces are available in the nearby “Steinen” and “Elisabethen” multistorey car parks.
Special points: Two wheelchairs are available in the museum for wheelchair users and persons with walking difficulties.
The interactive information systems on the various floors can be pulled down to sitting height.
Mo Closed | Tu 10.00 AM - 6.00 PM | We 10.00 AM - 6.00 PM | Th 10.00 AM - 6.00 PM | Fr 10.00 AM - 6.00 PM | Sa 10.00 AM - 6.00 PM | Su 10.00 AM - 6.00 PM
The museum shop offers an unparalleled selection of decorative gifts and unique little mementoes. Collectors are greeted by a variety of miniatures, teddy bears, and dolls from famous artists and manufacturers the world over.
Mo Closed | Tu 10.00 AM - 6.00 PM | We 10.00 AM - 6.00 PM | Th 10.00 AM - 6.00 PM | Fr 10.00 AM - 6.00 PM | Sa 10.00 AM - 6.00 PM | Su 10.00 AM - 6.00 PM
Tue. to Sun. from 10 to 18, in December, daily from 10 to 18
The Ristorante La Sosta pampers its guests year-round with seasonal dishes, fresh snacks, enticing desserts, fine sweets, cool drinks, and warm meals all day - outside on the boulevard as weil, if the weather cooperates.
You can visit Ristorante La Sosta even if you don’t enter the museum!
