AlpenStadtMuseum Sonthofen

About the museum

The roots of the AlpenStadtMuseum go back to around 1930. The master bookbinder Hermann Meggle and his fellow campaigners gathered exhibits for a local history museum, and the municipality bought an old farmstead near the parish church of St. Michael for it. According to dendrochronological analysis, its core dates from 1555, making the house one of the oldest buildings in the town. In May 1930 the local history museum opened with a farmhouse kitchen, parlour, traditional costumes and paintings.

The museum had to close during the Second World War; in 1950 it reopened under the direction of the town archivist Luis Dürrwanger. From 1959 the newly founded Heimatdienst Sonthofen took over its care and expanded the building with a great deal of voluntary work. In 1972 an extension tripled the exhibition space, and the museum was henceforth called Heimathaus. In 1979 its management passed back to the town.

After the neighbouring building was purchased in 2017, a connecting structure joined the houses into one ensemble. In January 2023 the redesigned museum opened as the AlpenStadtMuseum with a new permanent exhibition, a special exhibition room, education rooms and a museum café. It shows how Sonthofen's location in the Alps has shaped its history, from fossils and Alemannic grave finds through alpine farming and tourism to the Nazi Ordensburg and the present day.

Highlights

• Historic farmhouse with a core from 1555 and a dialect audio play
• Model of the Nazi Ordensburg around 1945
• Ski pole with snow basket by Fritz Heimhuber
• Alemannic grave goods and facsimile of the first mention of "Sunthoven"
• Restored Altmummen nativity scene with about 170 figures
• Children's trail through the permanent exhibition

Permanent exhibitions

• Heimatgeschichten – von Objekten erzählt – Six thematic islands on the longing for the Alps, alpine farming, work, Allgäu inventiveness, hard times and home, with media and hands-on stations.
• Geschichte der Burg – Wahrzeichen oder Mahnmal? – The former Nazi Ordensburg Sonthofen from five perspectives, with documents, audio material and a large model of the complex.
• Historisches Bauernhaus – Tour of a Mitterstallhaus with a core from 1555, furnished as it would have been for a farming family around 1900.

Founded

1930

Operated by

Stadt Sonthofen

Admission & discounts

Free admission with proof of the Kulturtafel card.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description

Lifts and display cases that can be rolled under; the tour is suitable for wheelchairs and prams. Touch stations and an audio-described tour for visually impaired people with a companion. Seating throughout. Assistance dogs allowed.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Kids’ birthday parties

Dedicated children's trail as well as media and hands-on stations in the permanent exhibition. Children's birthday parties for ages 6 to 12 with a time travel trip to the farmhouse or an inventors' workshop. In summer, take part in the museum safari of the Familien-Museen Allgäu with a puzzle booklet.

Getting there & parking

Entrance on Kirchstraße opposite the church.

Amenities & dining

• Café

Museum café with outdoor area; dogs are only allowed in the café.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit