Börde-Museum Burg Ummendorf

Current exhibitions

About the museum

Burg Ummendorf has building elements from the late Romanesque period, from the second half of the 12th century: the lower storeys of the castle tower and the well chamber. Around 1400 the complex was rebuilt, the tower was heightened and a defensive wall with four round towers was added. In the 16th century the granary (1541) and the gatehouse (1581), among others, were added. After the Ummendorf line of the von Meyendorff family died out in 1667, the Amt was turned into a domain (Domäne), which was leased to middle-class tenants until 1912.

In 1924, at the initiative of the Heimatverein, a local heritage museum (Heimatmuseum) opened in two rooms in the castle, in the old Holzkreis building. After the Second World War it continued as a district museum (Kreismuseum) and was expanded; during the GDR era it had a full-time director. The herb garden in the castle moat was laid out from 1979/80, and the sculpture garden was added after the artists' symposia held between 1975 and 1985. In 1998 the agricultural machinery exhibition received a roof.

After several years of renovation, the museum reopened on 5 June 2024 with redesigned rooms. Its main focuses are the settlement history of the region with its intensive agriculture, and the industrialisation of the 19th century; the oldest archaeological objects are more than 7,000 years old. The collection of steam ploughs is one of the largest in Europe.

Highlights

• Castle complex with a tower from the 12th century
• Permanent exhibition on the Magdeburger Börde
• Potash cellar on mining at the Bartensleben shaft
• Agricultural machinery hall with steam ploughs and GDR tractors
• Herb and sculpture garden in the castle moat

Permanent exhibitions

• Dauerausstellung in der Burg – The newly designed exhibition shows the settlement, agricultural and industrial history of the Magdeburger Börde.
• Kali-Keller – On the basement level, equipment from the Bartensleben shaft shows the history of regional salt and potash mining.
• Landtechnikhalle – Steam ploughs and classics of GDR tractor manufacturing are on display across 500 square metres.

Founded

1924

Operated by

Landkreis Börde

Director

Marian Daniel Brückner-Heiß

Admission & discounts

Tickets are available from the museum shop; card payment is not possible, cash only. School classes from the Börde district (including teachers and one accompanying person) enter free of charge when visiting for teaching purposes. Guided tours cost 25 euros per group plus admission.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description: no information

Since the reopening in 2024, the herb garden and the exhibition rooms on the ground and upper floors are step-free. The tower and the potash mining exhibition are not barrier-free. A lift and an accessible toilet are available, assistance dogs are permitted, and information is available in Leichte Sprache (easy-read German).

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Museum education programmes for school and kindergarten groups, e.g. “Mit allen Sinnen” in the herb garden, “Zurück in die Steinzeit” or “Bäuerliches Leben vor 100 Jahren” (1.5 to 4 hours, 7.50 to 12 euros per person, some only from May to September).

Getting there & parking

Satnav address Meyendorffstraße 4; the entrance is about 50 metres past the turn-off. The museum lies on the Aller-Rad-Weg and on the Städtepartnerschaftsradweg Braunschweig–Magdeburg (twin-town cycle route); e-bike charging point with a locker at the Jugendbauhütte behind the castle.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop with tourist information. Outdoor seating; on request, small refreshments are available for tour groups.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 60 guests.

Weddings in the historic setting of the castle, as well as conferences and events in the small hall (up to 20 people, 50 euros) or the large event hall (20 to 60 people, 75 euros flat fee for the venue).

Plan your visit