My 1871. Traces, Fates, Stories

The Bourbaki Panorama’s message of peace remains undisputedly relevant to this day. The immense circular painiting traces personal fates and political events and grants multi-faceted insights into the history of everyday life, art, culture, and the media. It tells hundreds of stories about the internment of the Bourbaki Army in 1871 and inspires introspection – about the past as well as the present.

Experience the events of the internment firsthand in the current in-depth exhibition “My 1871. Traces, Fates, Stories”, tracing the footsteps of the young villager Joséphine, the soldier’s horse Feuille as well as the Red Cross helper, and eventual painter of the circular painting, Edouard Castres. Get hands-on at interactive stations and get a tangible idea of the events with the help of original memorabilia and the impressive panoramic film. Set out and follow your path.

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Figure portraits of the character stories
Figure portraits of the character stories
Key visual for the in-depth exhibition “My 1871. Traces, Fates, Stories”
Key visual for the in-depth exhibition “My 1871. Traces, Fates, Stories”
Inspiration for the character Joséphine
Inspiration for the character Joséphine
The self-portrait of the panorama painter served as inspiration for the character of Edouard Castres.
The self-portrait of the panorama painter served as inspiration for the character of Edouard Castres.
Inspiration for the character of the soldier’s horse Feuille
Inspiration for the character of the soldier’s horse Feuille
Illustration of the character Joséphine
Illustration of the character Joséphine
Illustration of the character Edouard Castres
Illustration of the character Edouard Castres
Illustration of the character of the soldier’s horse Feuille
Illustration of the character of the soldier’s horse Feuille
Exhibition space with scobalite, character stories and window to the faux terrain
Exhibition space with scobalite, character stories and window to the faux terrain
Panorama film
Panorama film
Visitors in front of panorama film
Visitors in front of panorama film
Exhibition scobolite with showcases, in the foreground, column of an interactive station of the figure faces
Exhibition scobolite with showcases, in the foreground, column of an interactive station of the figure faces
Women looking into a display case of the exhibition scobalite.
Women looking into a display case of the exhibition scobalite.
Start board of the character stories with track layout
Start board of the character stories with track layout
Family on the trail of Joséphine’s character story
Family on the trail of Joséphine’s character story
Boy on the trail of Feuille’s character story
Boy on the trail of Feuille’s character story
Boy playing a game of skill in Feuille’s character story
Boy playing a game of skill in Feuille’s character story
There is an interactive station in Joséphine’s character story where the bandage and triangular cloth can be applied to the hand and foot according to instructions.
There is an interactive station in Joséphine’s character story where the bandage and triangular cloth can be applied to the hand and foot according to instructions.
Young one on the “hot wire” of Edouard Castres’ figure story: will he manage to trace the profile without touching the wire?
Young one on the “hot wire” of Edouard Castres’ figure story: will he manage to trace the profile without touching the wire?
Visitors look through the large window into the faux terrain.
Visitors look through the large window into the faux terrain.
Father and son looking together through the large window into the faux terrain, the three-dimensional forecourt.
Father and son looking together through the large window into the faux terrain, the three-dimensional forecourt.
The telescope sharpens the view.
The telescope sharpens the view.

New in-depth exhibition


The updated in-depth exhibition provides detailed insights into the internment of the Bourbaki Army in 1871 and is accompanied by a rich programme of guided tours and events. Details can also be found in the flyer (in German).

Panoramic film

The film is projected onto a circular shell that dissolves the 16-cornered wall structure of the building. A contemporary mass medium itself, the film transports the meaning of the panoramic image into the present without competing with it. The film deepens the historical theme and presents additional details and information. Individual fates and the solidarity of the Swiss population are brought closer to the viewer, as is the creation of the picture. The unusual visual and auditory experience in the picture room, complemented by the immersion in the exhibition one floor below, leaves a lasting impression on visitors.

The description can also be found in the flyer.