Bajasseum
Small circus museum in the center of Alsenborn about the village's artiste and tightrope-walker families, with the “smallest circus in the world”.
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About the museum
In the Western Palatinate, Alsenborn is known as the “home of the tightrope walkers”, and its residents are still jokingly called “Bajasse” to this day – after the Italian Bajazzo, the clown. The artiste tradition goes back to the early 19th century: hardship and hunger drove families such as the Schramms to travel the country in summer as musicians, puppeteers and acrobats and to live off the proceeds in winter.
The Alsenborn artistes enjoyed their heyday between 1870 and the First World War. Well-known families such as Bügler, Traber, Endres and the Althoff circus dynasty had their winter quarters here. After the end of Circus Althoff in the 1920s and the Second World War, the itinerant trade lost importance; some families remained active in the variety theater world.
The Bajasseum commemorates this history. The exhibition is arranged by era and leads from the present back to the beginnings with photos, props, everyday objects and anecdotes. Because few objects have survived the traveling life, pictures of the artistes are at the center. A special attraction is an electrically operated circus model that gives performances on opening days as the “smallest circus in the world”.
Highlights
- “The smallest circus in the world” as a moving model
- Photos and props of the Alsenborn artiste families
- History of the Althoff circus dynasty in Alsenborn
- Free admission, open daily
Permanent exhibition
- Alsenborner Artistengeschichte – A tour arranged by era with photos, props and stories of the village's tightrope-walker and circus families.
- Founded
- 1994
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Admission is free.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: not available
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- 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
Access to the building is via three steps.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
Holiday programs for children; the circus model gives performances on opening days.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Alsenborn Ortsmitte · 50 m
Bus to the Alsenborn Ortsmitte stop; Enkenbach-Alsenborn station is about 2.3 km away.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided tours for groups as well as programs for kindergartens and schools on request. |
