Bibelmuseum Wuppertal
Association-run Bible and creation museum in Wuppertal-Barmen on the history of the Bible's transmission; visits usually with a guided tour.
About the museum
The museum grew out of private collections that were shown as traveling exhibitions for two decades before Stefan Drüeke and fellow supporters opened a permanent site in Wuppertal-Barmen in 2001. It is run by the association Museum für Bibelgeschichte e. V. The museum explicitly describes itself as a Bible and creation museum and represents a Bible-literalist view shaped by the free churches; parts of the exhibition present the history of the earth from a creationist perspective.
In 2008 the corner building on Wolkenburg was expanded to include neighboring houses on Bendahler Straße; since then the exhibition has covered around 1,200 square meters. The tour leads from cuneiform, hieroglyphs and papyrus to replicas of famous inscriptions and manuscripts such as the Isaiah Scroll from Qumran and the Codex Sinaiticus, and on to medieval paupers' Bibles and printing.
One focus is an extensive collection of Bibles in more than 1,600 languages. There are also replicas such as a Gutenberg printing press, a nomad tent and models of Noah's Ark and the Tabernacle, as well as an area with fossils, terrariums and an aquarium. Volunteer museum guides accompany visitors; self-guided visits are not offered.
Highlights
- Bibles in more than 1,600 languages
- Replica of a Gutenberg printing press to try printing yourself
- Replicas of the Isaiah Scroll from Qumran and the Codex Sinaiticus
- Cuneiform, hieroglyphs and papyrus on the history of writing
- Models of Noah's Ark and the Tabernacle
Permanent exhibitions
- Geschichte der Bibel – A tour from the beginnings of writing through inscriptions, manuscripts and translations to printing and the worldwide spread of the Bible.
- Founded
- 2001
- Operated by
- Museum für Bibelgeschichte e. V.
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Groups | –Group tours by advance booking, max. 20–30 people per group; up to three tours can run in parallel. |
|---|
Free admission according to the Studiengemeinschaft Wort und Wissen; the museum's own website gives no prices. Donations to the supporting association are welcome.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
Tours for children generally require that the children can read; a simplified tour is available for kindergarten groups. Hands-on activities for groups: printing on the Gutenberg press and papermaking (from elementary school age), wax tablets (from age 8), cuneiform tablets (from age 10).
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Wolkenburg
Bus to "Wolkenburg" right at the museum; Schwebebahn (suspension railway) to "Landgericht," then approx. 5–10 minutes on foot via Eiland and the B7; approx. 15 minutes on foot from Wuppertal Hauptbahnhof (main station).
By car
Parking available
Small parking lot at the museum (access via Bendahler Straße at the traffic light by Mediamarkt); for buses and multiple vehicles, use parking in the surrounding area.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | no |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Visits are with a museum guide only; self-guided visits are not possible. Tours last about 45 to 100 minutes, depending on age. Registration at 0202 31772737 or 0208 31310. |
Museums nearby
Skulpturenpark Waldfrieden
Von der Heydt-Museum
Bandwebermuseum
Museum für Frühindustrialisierung
Deutsches Werkzeugmuseum
Manuelskotten
All 7 museums in Wuppertal All museums in North Rhine-Westphalia