Im Spiegel der Zeit - Stein am Rhein im 17. Jahrhundert

The concept of the world and the universe changed fundamentally in the 17th century. The sun became the center of the cosmos. New instruments such as the telescope, the telescope and the microscope were introduced between the human senses and the observation of the world. Things never seen before became visible. At the same time, measuring instruments were developed, with the help of which countries and sea routes could be described and mapped more and more precisely.

In an increasingly globalized world, goods and knowledge found their way across continents. Scholars were also in contact with each other across national borders. Experimentation and doubt were two fundamental methodological approaches to understanding the world. Illusions and optical gimmicks, distorted and aerial images fired the imagination and inspired people.

It was an eventful century, also for the Old Swiss Confederacy. In 1648, it secured its sovereignty within a Europe marked by power struggles. Despite some financial challenges, Stein am Rhein was still able to take advantage of its favorable river location. As a regional trading center, it was in active contact with other countries.

Using numerous fascinating objects from science and technology, from the world of politics and diplomacy, but also from everyday urban and middle-class life in Stein, the exhibition provides an insight into the world of 17th century life.


Note: This text was translated by machine translation software and not by a human translator. It may contain translation errors.