Musée Adolf Michaelis
University museum of plaster casts of ancient works, housed in the University Palace in Strasbourg, temporarily closed.
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About the museum
The collection was built from 1872 by Adolf Michaelis, first holder of the chair of classical archaeology at the University of Strasbourg, for teaching purposes. It opened in 1884 on the first floor of the newly inaugurated University Palace, with a route tracing the development of Greek sculpture. Originally it comprised more than 1,500 plaster casts.
During the Second World War the casts were moved to the garden-level floor (rez-de-jardin). In 1949 Pierre Demargne reinstalled a selection of 350 works there. Since 2014 a major renovation has been underway with the support of the Association des Amis du Musée Adolf Michaelis (AMAM), founded by students in 2015.
In total the collection comprises about 800 casts, forming the first university collection of this kind in France, around 600 archaeological objects, mostly terracotta vases, and nearly 2,000 old photographs of ancient sites. The casts reproduce pieces held in major European museums or from excavations at the end of the 19th century. The museum has been temporarily closed since June 2024.
Highlights
- Around 800 plaster casts: the first university collection of its kind in France
- Plaster reconstruction of the Victoire de Samothrace
- Around 600 archaeological objects, mostly terracotta vases
- Nearly 2,000 old photographs of ancient sites
Permanent exhibition
- Collection de moulages – Plaster casts of Greek, Roman and Oriental sculptures on the garden level of the University Palace.
- Founded
- 1872
- Operated by
- Université de Strasbourg
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Free self-guided visit under normal conditions. Guided tours at a pay-what-you-wish price; school visits also at pay-what-you-wish, from €2 per person.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Université
Tram lines C, E and F, stops Gallia or Université; buses C6, 10, 15, 30 and 72, stop Brant-Université.
By car
Paid parking
Paid parking in front of the University Palace and in nearby streets (rue de l’Université, rue Goethe).
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided tours run by volunteers of the association on the history of the collection and its main works. School visits from CE2 to Seconde on five themes; a class of 30 pupils or more requires two additional adult supervisors besides the teachers. During the closure, visit requests are not being accepted. |
