Aktivmuseum Breitungen - Ländliches Brauchtum

About the museum

On the castle hill of Herrenbreitungen on the right bank of the Werra, the use of the site changed over the centuries: a royal palace (Königspfalz) became a monastery in the 9th century and later a castle. The exhibition rooms stand on the site of the former Benedictine monastery, whose Romanesque basilica has largely survived to this day.

Since 1994 the Aktivmuseum “Ländliches Brauchtum” (Rural Customs) has been based here. The museum sees itself as a museum to touch: visitors are invited not just to look but to try out crafts and everyday life of earlier times for themselves. On display are re-created living, sleeping and kitchen rooms, as well as a classroom from times past.

For the 2018 season a new exhibition was added, focusing on the men's monastery on the right bank and the women's monastery on the left bank of the Werra, which shaped the region's history from the 11th to the 16th century. Alongside the basilica, the monastery kitchen, monk's cell and bell chamber give insights into the everyday life of monks and nuns.

Highlights

• Hands-on stations in the writing room and the masons' lodge
• Monastery kitchen, monk's cell and bell chamber
• Monastery garden with its own herbal tea blend
• Living, sleeping and kitchen rooms as well as an old classroom
• Romanesque monastery basilica

Permanent exhibitions

• Die Klöster von Breitungen – Permanent exhibition (since 2018) on the history of the men's and women's monasteries in the Werra valley from the 11th to the 16th century, with monastery church, monastery kitchen, monk's cell, bell chamber and hands-on stations.
• Ländliches Brauchtum – Re-created living, sleeping and kitchen rooms as well as a classroom from earlier times, where visitors can try out everyday life and crafts.

Founded

1994

Admission & discounts

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Accessibility

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Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

Hands-on museum: stations to try out in the writing room and masons' lodge; “Monastery Detectives” can investigate monastery secrets. Family Sundays take place regularly; children's, youth and adult groups use the offerings for projects and hiking days.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located in the castle on the castle hill of Herrenbreitungen (Schloß 3).

Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

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Plan your visit