The object of the invention relates to an objective changing and focussing apparatus (10) for microscopes (100) containing a plurality of objectives (12), and having an optical axis Z, the essence of which is that it contains—a first rail system (16a) having a first guide rail (17a) fixed to the microscope (100) and a first moving member (18a) guided by the first guide rail (17a), wherein the first rail system (16a) is arranged along an axis X perpendicular to the optical axis Z, —a first drive unit (20a) in drive connection with the first rail system (16a), —a plurality of objective interface elements (24), adapted for being connected to the objectives (12), arranged next to one another along the X axis and fixed to the first moving member (18a) movably along the Z axis, —a second rail system (16b) having a second guide rail (17b) fixed to the microscope (100) and a second moving member (18b) guided by the second guide rail (17b), wherein the second rail system (16b) is arranged parallel to the optical axis Z, and defines a starting position along the X axis, and—a second drive unit (20b) having a second drive connection with the second rail system (16b), and the second moving member (18b) is provided with a lifting element (26) providing a releasable connection with an objective interface (24) located in the starting position. The object of the invention also relates to a microscope containing such an objective changing and focusing apparatus (10).