The Vitromusée Romont presents the history of stained glass, reverse glass painting and glass art in the 13th-century castle overlooking Romont. Discover a collection of over 14,000 works, a glass painter’s workshop and a trail for children.
Themed museums
Main highlights
- Over 14,000 works of stained glass, reverse glass painting and glass objects, from the Middle Ages to the present day
- Demonstration workshop with glass painter’s tools, public demonstrations and introductory courses
- Medieval setting : two wings of Romont Castle linked by a modern footbridge built in 2006
Overview
Founded in 1981 as the Swiss Museum of Stained Glass, the museum became the Vitromusée Romont in 2006, when it was renovated and enlarged. It is listed as a Swiss cultural property of national significance, as is the 13th-century medieval castle that houses it.
The museum occupies the Savoyard wing and the Fribourg wing of the castle, linked by a modern footbridge. Its mission is to preserve and pass on glass heritage. It runs cultural outreach programmes and holds the Musée Joyeux label from the Môm’Art association for its family-friendly welcome.
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What to see and do
The permanent exhibition presents stained glass from the Middle Ages to the present day and traces the evolution of techniques and styles. The pieces are displayed in semi-darkness and backlit. The museum deliberately keeps information panels to a minimum to leave room for contemplation.
The reverse glass painting section holds the largest collection in the world in this discipline. Works from the Verrerie artistique de Saint-Prex, along with blown, moulded and pressed glass, tell the story of glass in everyday life. A virtual gallery, created with the Centro Studi del Vetro in Venice, shows photographs of objects from the Seguso Vetri d’Arte workshop. The Espace Michel Eltschinger is dedicated to this master glassmaker from Fribourg.
The demonstration workshop displays the glass painter’s tools and hosts demonstrations and introductory courses. Children follow a trail led by Jérôme the ghost and take part in creative workshops : origami, comics and linocut printing.
Practical information
Getting there : the museum is a 10-minute walk from Romont SBB station. Parking is available in the old town.
Who it’s for : art and heritage lovers, and families with children thanks to the dedicated trail and workshops.
On site : the Vitrocafé, with its terrace, is located in the castle courtyard.
Guided tours : cultural guides offer one-hour tours of the collections.
Visitor tips
With children, ask at reception for Jérôme the ghost’s trail to turn the visit into a discovery game. A guided tour helps you understand how the works were made.
After the museum, explore the Vitroparcours on the ramparts, with eight stations about the world of glass, or the Stained Glass Trail, on foot or by bike, which links the region’s churches featuring stained-glass windows.
Nearby attractions
- The Wallpaper Museum presents historic wall decorations in the Château de Mézières.
- The Sherlock Holmes Museum in Lucens displays books and objects related to the detective, as well as personal belongings of Conan Doyle.
- The Church of Saint-Etienne in Moudon is a Gothic building in the former capital of the Savoyard Pays de Vaud.
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