Carved furniture
Turning everyday objects into something truly special – whether classically ornate or modern, with that special personal touch – carved furniture makes every home feel special. You can see some ch...
17 July, 2026
The Swiss Woodcarving Museum is located in the heart of Brienz. It is the heart and soul of the woodcarving village, the national centre for woodcarving. Meet the faces and stories of fascinating works and inspiring artists. Ideal for group events, company outings, family programmes and real quality time.
Wood is real . Wood is alive . Wood feels like home .
Contact
Schweizer Holzbildhauerei Museum
Hauptstrasse 111
Postfach 592
CH-3855 Brienz
+41 33 952 13 17
Opening Hours
02.05 – 31.05.2026
We – Su: 13.30 – 17.00 h
01.06. – 30.09.2026
We – Su: 10.30 – 17.00 h
01.10 – 25.10.2026
We – Su: 13.30 – 17.00 h
Admission Fees
Adults: CHF 8.00
Children: free
Tours for groups: CHF 50.00, flat rate, plus admission CHF 8.00 per person
News & Inspiration
How does a piece of wood become a work of art? Which thoughts lead to which figures? Cherry, oak or olive? How does the next generation work? Where are forgotten wood sculpture gems hidden? Why do the most important aspects of wood sculpture come together in Brienz?
The most beautiful nutcrackers from the world’s largest collection
… you’ll discover them here at our museum in this year’s special exhibition! Crack open the nut … discover the most beautiful pieces, heart-warming stories, brilliant recipes and much ...
10 July, 2026
Works of the Heart at the 2026 Symposium
Enjoying ideal conditions, the international wood sculptors created works that touch the heart. It was as if they might come to life at any moment … another successful event that delighted all visit...
08 July, 2026
Free guided tours during the Symposium
Why not pop over from the symposium to visit us at the museum – we’re now offering free guided tours! Seize the opportunity and discover our unique Nutcracker exhibition, the Masterpiece or the Di...
02 July, 2026
It’s Symposium time!
Since yesterday, carvings have been underway on the Brienzer Quai for the 2026 Woodcarving Symposium – fascinating new works are taking shape, and in the evenings the programme features fine food an...
01 July, 2026
Coming soon! Woodcarving Symposium 2026
The 14th edition of this major gathering of woodcarvers on the Quai in Brienz, the ‘village of woodcarvers’, is just around the corner! We’re really looking forward to seeing some fantastic work...
26 June, 2026
Carve your own cow!
Fancy having some fun with friends, colleagues or family? Carving your own wooden cow is so much fun 🙂 – come and join us! See you soon…...
24 June, 2026
A daily dose of humor puts you in good spirits
Woodcarving is full of joy, fun, and a touch of whimsy… and it’s perfect for a daily dose, especially when it’s right by your front door 😉...
19 June, 2026
A trip to Brienz with a visit to the museum
Brienz is a wonderful village, and a visit to the museum is an absolute must – it’s the heart and soul of this woodcarving village, showcasing everything from master craftsmen and their creations ...
11 June, 2026
04 June, 2026
Crack the nut!
Our special exhibition featuring the most beautiful nutcrackers from the world’s largest collection – it’s a real treat! Discover the figures, learn about nuts, find recipes and immerse yourself...
31 May, 2026
Fancy a family outing over the Whitsun weekend?
Brienz is well worth a visit. Lake Brienz captivates visitors with its unique colour… and the museum delights with masterpieces, exquisite crafts and the 500 most beautiful nutcrackers from the ...
21 May, 2026
Follow us on TikTok
Come and see our museum on the popular social media platform TikTok, offering fascinating insights … as the Swiss Woodcarving Museum....
14 May, 2026
Swiss woodcarvers: now featured in our comprehensive overview
Highly talented, passionate, dedicated and first-class craftspeople – that’s the vibrant world of our creative artists across Switzerland! You can see the diverse range of work on display and meet...
08 May, 2026
Little paper boats?
Yes, but sturdy enough to weather a storm – yet the wooden sculptures by Philipp Dräyer, a woodcarver from Brienz, exude a sense of lightness. In this way, he not only pays tribute to classical com...
01 May, 2026
Which nuts do you like? Walnuts?
They’re very healthy. They have a very hard shell. Once you’ve cracked them open, they look rather funny and are easy to split in two – most of the time. To get them out of their shells, you nee...
28 April, 2026
Arnas Jurskis and his world’s largest collection of nutcrackers
At our exhibition opening, we were delighted to welcome a distinguished guest from Vilnius, Lithuania… ARNAS JURSKI, an entrepreneur and passionate collector of nutcrackers from all over the wor...
20 April, 2026
Today: Opening of the 2026 Exhibition
The official opening of the 2026 special exhibition, ‘Crack the Nut – the finest pieces from the world’s largest nutcracker collection’, will take place at the museum today at 4.00 pm – a wa...
18 April, 2026
The countdown is on …
CRACK THE NUT … our special exhibition this year, alongside our ever-fascinating permanent exhibition, is just waiting to be discovered! Just a few days to go until the opening on 18 April ̷...
15 April, 2026
Interactive Special Exhibition 2026
The gems from the world’s largest collection of nutcrackers can be experienced in a unique way through our interactive displays. Where do the nuts for the nutcracker come from? What can you do with ...
10 April, 2026
Happy Easter
… Spring is finally here and we’re getting more and more excited about reopening our museum soon! … But first, we hope you have a wonderful Easter with lots of funny bunnies and colourfu...
03 April, 2026
It looks so real…
…absolutely, but it’s made of real wood! Crafting something like this requires the utmost concentration and exceptional craftsmanship – just like Meret Hanako Schulenburg’s work… so ...
01 April, 2026
Meret Hanako Schulenburg – beyond words
These works are fascinating. You can’t help but look and marvel. Is the banana real? Is the wooden head about to open its eyes? Skill and passion come together here to create a wonderful picture....
27 March, 2026
Today: World Wood Day – we love wood too!
In woodcarving, wood takes on its most beautiful form! With boundless creativity, the most beautiful works of art can be created from different types of wood… Warm – beautiful – sustainable!...
21 March, 2026
Want to organise an exciting team event in spring?
Need a heart-warming programme where you can get hands-on and bring your team closer together? Carve wooden cows, marvel at works of art, look over the shoulders of masters and enjoy a hearty mountain...
06 March, 2026
Anita Peter – Form and Structure
Enchanting animals and exquisite natural forms characterise Anita Peter’s work. After completing her education at the Schnätzi in Brienz, Anita Peter frequently travels internationally, allowin...
28 February, 2026
Do you know the difference?
between Swiss nutcrackers and German nutcrackers? Everyone knows the colourful German ones, but are you familiar with the real rarities among the practical Swiss nutcrackers? There are some real maste...
20 February, 2026
Crack the nut!
Nuts are healthy! Nutcrackers are essential for getting the delicate “fruit” out of the hard shells… Starting in May, we will be showing you loads of particularly magnificent examples in our...
13 February, 2026
Remo Meier – wood is my creative element
When a great passion can be lived out… ‘When searching for form, I forget everything around me. Concentration allows me to immerse myself deeply in my work.’...
09 February, 2026
Are you following us on TikTok?
TikTok entertains, informs and provides exciting insights… Our colleague Lena regularly shows you the treasures that can be admired in the museum. From yesterday, the day before yesterday, today...
02 February, 2026
Philipp Dräyer – where skills meet passion
‘Der scharfe Hund’ (The Hot Dog) – one of his impressive works. As a specialist teacher, member of the foundation board and committed representative of wood sculpture, he is dedicated to the woo...
23 January, 2026
Wood carving – a profession full of creativity and passion
Working with (warming) wood every day – giving free rein to your boundless creativity – working with pinpoint precision – seeing and touching the results – following your passion. That’s...
16 January, 2026
Coming soon: Special exhibition 2026
Crack the nut! What do Ludwig van Beethoven, Johannes Brahms and other famous figures have to do with walnuts, almonds and hazelnuts? Find out more at our exclusive special exhibition, opening on 3 Ma...
09 January, 2026
Exciting artist portraits awaiting you in the new year
Take a look at wood sculptors’ nimble hands and behind their works… get to know the people behind the ideas… that’s what we’ll be doing in the new year with our camera te...
12 December, 2025
Sweeter the violins never sound …
Although bells are at the heart of this popular Christmas song, the same applies to violins during the holiday season, of course especially when they come from the Swiss School of violin-making Brienz...
05 December, 2025
Doves of peace at the Swiss woodcarving school
At the ‘Schnätzi’ (Swiss Woodcarving School, Brienz), the doves of peace are flying! The world needs more of them! Thirty-four wooden doves of peace have returned to Brienz from Canada....
28 November, 2025
We are a BLS Seepass/lake pass partner
With the Seepass (on sale since 11 November for 2026), you not only get free travel on Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, but also a discount at our museum. Travelling across Lake Brienz guarantees a relaxed ...
21 November, 2025
Carving a wooden cow?
That is so much fun and also possible during our winter season when the museum is closed… on request and for smaller (with family and friends) or larger groups – just give us a call! We look f...
14 November, 2025
How does the museum promote itself?
Partnerships are key, an online presence is essential, good offers are a must… and we are always on the lookout for new opportunities. We are pursuing a hybrid strategy and are starting the off-...
01 November, 2025
Closing for the season – thank you for coming and your collaboration
Today is the last day of our 2025 museum season – THANK YOU VERY MUCH for visiting us! Although we are closing our doors, we remain open on request for groups and special events throughout the year!...
26 October, 2025
Great for families, brilliant for art lovers
A varied programme for family outings or as soul food for art lovers – the Swiss Woodcarving Museum is a gem and a wonderful showcase for the finest craftsmanship and arts and crafts....
18 October, 2025
Soon final days of our special exhibition 2025
Take this opportunity to discover the impressive and unique works of Urs-P. Twellmann! What he enjoys making from old or storm-damaged wood is truly amazing… See you soon at our museum? 😉...
10 October, 2025
The right tools are crucial
Working with wood requires not only a great deal of talent and skill, but also the right tools to achieve the desired shape. Rasps, triangular files, flat files, needle files, cabinet files—a wide r...
02 October, 2025
Humour in woodcarving
Does fun boost creativity? It seems quite possible, doesn’t it? In any case, laughter helps with motivation at work; no study is needed to prove that. We can see it in works like this 😉...
25 September, 2025
Hiking and wood carving? A great combination!
Take a trip to the Axalp Woodcarving Trail! As you hike through beautiful landscapes, there is so much magnificent wood carving art to discover. Young and old alike will have fun here and completely f...
18 September, 2025