Angermuseum

Current exhibitions

About the museum

The building on the Anger was constructed between 1706 and 1712 as the Electorate of Mainz's Pack- und Waagehof (packing and weighing house), where trade goods were weighed and taxed. Its splendid Baroque facade makes it one of the most striking buildings in Erfurt's old town.

In 1886 the city opened a municipal museum here, initially as a painting gallery on the second floor. The occasion was the donation of the artistic estate of the painter Friedrich Nerly. Through donations and acquisitions the collection grew quickly and soon also included cultural and natural history holdings; these later gave rise to the city museum, the folklore museum and the natural history museum. From the 1920s onward the institution increasingly established itself as an art museum.

Under director Walter Kaesbach, Erich Heckel painted a vaulted room on the first floor between 1922 and 1924; the murals “Lebensstufen” (Stages of Life) are considered the most important surviving mural ensemble of German Expressionism. In 1937, during the Nazi “Degenerate Art” campaign, around 1,000 works were confiscated; the Heckel room was walled up and thus survived the Nazi era. It was reopened in 1948 and later restored several times.

Today, as the art museum of the state capital, the Angermuseum shows medieval panel painting and sculpture from Erfurt workshops, works from the Cranach era, decorative arts, and painting and graphic art up to the present. Since 2025 the collection presentation “Goldlack und Kakteen” has replaced the former painting gallery. The museum also includes the Margaretha-Reichardt-Haus and the ruins of the Barfüßerkirche.

Highlights

• Heckel room with the Expressionist murals “Lebensstufen” (1922–1924)
• Medieval art from Erfurt, including panels from the Augustinian altarpiece
• Works from the Cranach workshop
• Collection presentation “Goldlack und Kakteen” – art in Erfurt from 1700 to today
• Baroque Pack- und Waagehof with ornate facade
• Free “Kunstpause am Mittag” (lunchtime art break) every Wednesday

Permanent exhibitions

• Goldlack und Kakteen. Aufbrüche, Umbrüche und die Kunst in Erfurt – New collection presentation with paintings, sculptures, graphic art and decorative arts from the Baroque to the present, focusing on Erfurt's art history and on women artists who have so far received little attention.
• Heckelraum „Lebensstufen“ – Vaulted room painted by Erich Heckel in 1922–1924 – the most important surviving murals of German Expressionism, complemented by a digital information terminal.
• Mittelalter und Frühe Neuzeit – Panel paintings, sandstone sculptures and carved figures from Erfurt workshops and churches in the surrounding area up to the Cranach era, plus the medieval furnishings of the old town hall.

Founded

1886

Operated by

Landeshauptstadt Erfurt (Kunstmuseen Erfurt)

Director

Prof. Dr. Elke Anna Werner (Direktorin der Kunstmuseen Erfurt)

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Free admission every first Tuesday of the month (all municipal museums)

Adult, reduced and tour prices according to the museum website; family and group prices as well as concession and free-admission rules according to the city's fee schedule (as of 2014). Free admission with the Erfurt-Card, Thüringen-Card, Familienpass and Ehrenamtscard (volunteer card), among others, and for ICOM, DMB and MVT members. Audio guides are included in admission.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: not available
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Certified under “Reisen für Alle” (Travel for All). Step-free entrance with automatic door, elevator to all floors, wheelchair-accessible restroom in the basement; narrowest point on the tour route 85 cm. No dedicated parking (pedestrian zone); accessible parking spaces in the Forum 1 parking garage (approx. 300 m). Objects can be touched during guided tours; tours with sign language interpretation by advance booking.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Educational tours and creative activities for children, young people and families, including tandem workshops for children with adults, a monthly "Art and Baby" tour for parents with babies (2nd Tuesday, 11:00) and holiday programs.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located in the pedestrian zone.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant: not available

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Plan your visit