Archäologisches Landesmuseum Brandenburg im Paulikloster

About the museum

From 1286, Dominicans built their monastery of St. Pauli in the Neustadt of Brandenburg. By the end of the 15th century the church and cloister had grown into one of the most complete mendicant order complexes in northeastern Germany; in 1497 a library of its own was added. After the Reformation the building served as a hospital and poorhouse, and at the end of World War II the church was severely destroyed.

After a long renovation – in 2004/05 the church regained its pillars, east gable, and roofs – the Archäologisches Landesmuseum moved in and opened its permanent exhibition in September 2008. It is run by the Brandenburgisches Landesamt für Denkmalpflege und Archäologisches Landesmuseum (Brandenburg State Office for Historic Preservation and State Archaeological Museum).

On about 2,000 square meters, nine rooms lead chronologically from the Paleolithic through the Bronze and Iron Ages, the Migration Period, and the Slavs to the Middle Ages and modern times. Among the best-known pieces are the carrying net from Friesack, one of the oldest surviving textile finds in the world, a bronze miniature wagon from Potsdam-Eiche, and the coin hoard of Plänitz. A soil-layer model measuring four by six meters illustrates the work of the excavators.

The building itself is also an exhibit: the cloister walk, chapter house, and library give a sense of monastic life. Special exhibitions, lectures, and concerts round out the program.

Highlights

• Carrying net from Friesack – one of the oldest textiles in the world
• Bronze miniature wagon from Potsdam-Eiche
• Slavic-period coin hoard from Plänitz
• Large soil-layer model illustrating excavation techniques
• Gothic Dominican monastery with fully preserved cloister walk

Permanent exhibitions

• Dauerausstellung: 130.000 Jahre Kulturgeschichte Brandenburgs – Around 10,000 finds in nine rooms, from Paleolithic hand axes through the Bronze Age, Germanic peoples, and Slavs to coin hoards of modern times – supplemented by models, scenes of everyday life, and media stations.

Founded

2008

Operated by

Brandenburgisches Landesamt für Denkmalpflege und Archäologisches Landesmuseum

Director

Franz Schopper

Admission & discounts

Prices for the permanent exhibition. Cash only.

Accessibility

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

All exhibition rooms are accessible without barriers: two elevators in the stairwells and a platform lift in one exhibition room; staff help with opening the doors and operate the platform lift. Two rollators and three folding wheelchairs can be borrowed at the ticket desk. Two accessible parking spaces in front of the main entrance. Guide dogs and companion dogs allowed. The monastery tour is only partially accessible.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly

Strollers are allowed in the exhibition. During school holidays, workshops for children (e.g., fall break, €8 per person, registration required); interactive media and hands-on stations in the permanent exhibition. Family ticket €10, children under 10 free.

Getting there & parking

By car via the A2 and the B1.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Lockers

Café Pauline in the building (Tue–Sun 10:00–18:00, breakfast, light lunch, cold platter). Museum shop with exhibition guides and publications on regional archaeology. Lockers in the foyer.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 100 guests.

Wheelchair-accessible lecture room with equipment for up to 100 people in rows of seats, also outside opening hours; 20 parking spaces. The nave of the church is rented out by the city of Brandenburg an der Havel (Liegenschaftsamt, real estate office).

Plan your visit