Archäologisches Museum der Universität Münster

About the museum

When the University of Münster established a professorship in Classical Archaeology for the 1883/84 winter semester, it also decided to create a teaching museum. The collection grew quickly and was already open to the public at the beginning of the 20th century. During World War II, however, this first collection was lost entirely.

Rebuilding began around 1960, initially with plaster casts and later with more and more originals. Larger private collections – including the Rubensohn and Peek collections and the Görtz-Strötgen Foundation – as well as numerous permanent loans broadened the range considerably. In 1995 the display collection moved into the newly refurbished Lothar-Zelz-Saal in the Fürstenberghaus on Domplatz; remodeling in 2007/08 and 2018/19 followed, after which around 550 square meters of exhibition space became available.

Today the holdings comprise a good 7,000 objects from the 8th millennium BC to the Middle Ages, around 10,000 coins, just under 500 casts of ancient sculptures, 26 models of ancient buildings and sites, and a collection of holograms. The focus is on Greek and Roman antiquity, complemented by Egypt, the Near East and South Arabia. The museum serves teaching and research at the Institute of Classical Archaeology and is at the same time open to everyone free of charge; it is directed by the current holder of the chair.

Highlights

• The so-called Münster Mummy in a painted ancient Egyptian wooden coffin
• Cast collection of ancient sculptures, including figures from the Temple of Zeus at Olympia
• Models of ancient cities, buildings and sanctuaries
• Greek vases and coins from the university collection
• Plaster cast of the “Green Caesar” in the Roman Corner
• Hologram collection of archaeological objects

Permanent exhibitions

• Dauerausstellung: Antike Kulturen des Mittelmeerraums – Originals, casts and models lead from early cultures through Greece and Rome to Egypt and the Near East. A “Roman Corner” in the basement shows, among other things, the cast of the Green Caesar.

Founded

1884

Operated by

Universität Münster (Institut für Klassische Archäologie und Christliche Archäologie)

Director

Achim Lichtenberger

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission to the permanent exhibition. Guided tours for groups of up to 25 people: €60 per hour, €30 for each additional half hour. Two-hour workshops for school classes: €250 per class (€200 with a cooperation agreement).

Accessibility

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

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Free children's workshops for 10- to 16-year-olds on announced dates (e.g. on ancient clothing, with try-ons); workshops for school classes.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop with replicas from the collection, casts, 3D prints and publications (including the complete catalog).

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit