Archäologisches Museum der Stadt Kelheim

About the museum

The foundation was laid in 1908 by the Historischer Verein Kelheim (Kelheim Historical Society), which collected finds and donations from the region. Extensive excavations during the construction of the Main-Danube Canal enlarged the collection to the point where the settlement of the area can be documented without gaps from the Neanderthals to the founding of the town.

Since 1981 the museum has been housed in the Herzogkasten, a granary built at the end of the 15th century from rusticated ashlar of the former castle to store the levies owed to the duke. Later the building served as barracks, emergency shelter, and school; for the museum it was cleared of later additions and restored to its late medieval state. In 1983 the museum received the Council of Europe's special prize, the only German museum to do so.

On the ground floor, prehistory and early history are spread across eight display islands, supplemented by excavation plans, reconstructions, and models, such as one of the Celtic oppidum Alkimoennis on the Michelsberg. The department on city history on the upper floor, opened in 1990, is devoted to Kelheim as a Wittelsbach foundation on the Danube and Altmühl, with shipping, crafts, wine, and beer.

In the inner courtyard you can see an original section of the Celtic wall and a reconstruction of its height. Special exhibitions, guided tours, excursions, and an extensive museum education program round out the offering.

Highlights

• Gapless settlement history from the Neanderthals to the early Middle Ages
• Weltenburger Stierl, Kelheimer Kanne, and the Roman silver hoard of Eining
• Model of the Celtic oppidum Alkimoennis on the Michelsberg
• 13 meters of original Celtic wall in the museum courtyard
• City history "Kelheim – Stadt am Fluss"

Permanent exhibitions

• Stein – Bronze – Eisen – Eight display islands on the ground floor lead from the Ice Age hunters through Celts and Romans to the Bavarii, with original finds, models, and illustrations.
• Kelheim – Stadt am Fluss – The city history department shows life and work in the Wittelsbach town between the Danube and Altmühl, from shipbuilding to wheat beer.
• Keltenmauer im Museumshof – A 13-meter-long original section of the wall of the oppidum Alkimoennis and a reconstruction of its original height.

Founded

1908

Operated by

Stadt Kelheim

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

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

The archaeological exhibition is on the ground floor. The restrooms, the upper floors with city history and special exhibitions, and the conference room are not wheelchair-accessible.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Family- and child-friendly reading areas as well as hands-on, play, and trial stations in the exhibition. Children's birthday parties on the Stone Age, Celts, or Romans (2 hours, €120 including materials and a drink plus €2 admission per child aged 6 and up, max. 12 children). Free Actionbound rallies, e.g., starting from the museum courtyard.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Coffee, tea, and cold drinks at the ticket desk, seating area in the exhibition and in the green museum courtyard. Museum shop with jewelry, replicas, toys, and literature, also online.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Room on the third floor (150 m², ceiling height 2.40 m) for lectures, conferences, and training; the registry office uses it for weddings. Rental on request plus €3 admission per person, equipment and coffee machines can be added. Not wheelchair-accessible.

Plan your visit