Bilderbuchmuseum Burg Wissem
Specialized museum for picture book illustration in Burg Wissem in Troisdorf – with historic children's books, a Janosch collection, and special exhibitions.
About the museum
The foundation was laid in 1982 by the Troisdorf merchant Wilhelm Alsleben: he gave the city his collection of several hundred original picture book illustrations, lithographic stones, woodblocks, and thousands of more recent picture books. From this grew a municipal museum that is the only one in Europe devoted systematically to collecting and exhibiting picture books and their illustrations. It is housed in the manor house of Burg Wissem, a moated castle complex in the middle of Troisdorf that was converted as part of Regionale 2010.
Through purchases, donations, and long-term loans, the holdings grew steadily. In 1995 the city bought the collection of historic children's and picture books of Theodor Brüggemann, whose oldest pieces go back to the late 15th century; Troisdorf residents helped with book sponsorships. In 2001 the extensive Little Red Riding Hood collection of the Zurich couple Elisabeth and Richard Waldmann was added, which includes not only books but also paintings, prints, and folk-culture objects.
One focus is on originals by well-known picture book artists such as Janosch, Leo Lionni, Helme Heine, Jutta Bauer, or Nikolaus Heidelbach. The roughly 2,000 Janosch originals, on loan to the museum since 2005, became the city's property in 2025. The museum shows its holdings in changing exhibitions, awards the Troisdorf Picture Book Prize and a picture book fellowship in alternating years, and invites visitors to browse in a reference library.
Highlights
- Largest Janosch collection in the world with about 2,000 original illustrations
- Little Red Riding Hood collection of Elisabeth and Richard Waldmann
- Historic children's and picture books since the late 15th century
- Special exhibitions on illustrators
- Reference library with classic and current picture books
- Located in Burg Wissem with a deer enclosure and playground nearby
- Founded
- 1982
- Operated by
- Stadt Troisdorf
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3.50Retirees, students, trainees, and people with disabilities (each with ID) |
| Children & teens | €2free up to age 2 · The child price applies to ages 3 to 14. |
| Seniors | €3.50Reduced admission for retirees. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €3.50Reduced admission with ID. |
| Students & apprentices | €3.50Reduced admission for students and trainees. |
| Groups | –Tour for adults (approx. 60 min.): €60 flat rate plus €3.50 reduced admission per person. Children's tour (ages 4–14, 90 min.): €50 flat rate plus €1.50 admission per child; accompanying adults €3.50. For school classes and daycare groups, one chaperone has free admission. Please allow about 3 weeks' lead time. |
| Families | €12 |
| "Sonntags im Museum" workshop (for children) | €3Per person. |
| Children's birthday party (up to 10 children) | €50Each additional child €5. |
Free admission: Free admission on the first Sunday of every month
The admission ticket is a combination ticket for the Bilderbuchmuseum and the Museum für Stadt- und Industriegeschichte (MUSIT) at Burg Wissem.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- 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
Wheelchair lift to the left behind the entrance stairs at the main entrance (please ring the bell); an elevator serves all areas of the museum (register its use at the ticket desk). Wheelchair-accessible restroom on the third floor. Accessible parking spaces on Burgallee, approx. 200 m on foot; drop-off directly in front of the entrance possible. Seating available. Tours for people with dementia and their companions.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 2 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | €12 |
- Family tours & workshops
- Playground / play area
- Kids’ birthday parties
Family tours, afternoon reading sessions, and the children's workshop program "Sonntags im Museum". Children's birthday parties for ages 6 and up on themes such as knights, Janosch, or fairy tales (for younger children on request). Deer enclosure and playground around Burg Wissem.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Ursulaplatz · 5-min walk
From Troisdorf station, take bus lines 501, 503, or 508 toward Siegburg to Ursulaplatz (2 stops) or line 506 to Römerplatz. On foot from the station approx. 15 minutes.
By car
Free parking
Parking on Burgallee (max. 3 hours with parking disc) and on Römerstraße; accessible parking spaces on Burgallee.
- Accessible parking
Take the A 59, exit Troisdorf, toward the center and, after the roundabout, follow the signs "Museen Burg Wissem".
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Coat check
The Café dell’Arte and the restaurant Quattro Passi are located in the immediate vicinity of the museum.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Tours for adults (approx. 60 min.), children (90 min.), and people with dementia, as well as museum education programs for daycare centers and schools (1.5 hours each) by registration, ideally about 3 weeks in advance. |
