Brüder Grimm-Haus Steinau

Current exhibitions

About the museum

The Amtshaus (administrator's house) in Steinau an der Straße was built in 1562 as an administrative seat: a stately Renaissance building with a stone first floor, a richly decorated half-timbered upper floor facing the courtyard, a stair tower and a carriage house from the same period, all set within a walled courtyard. In 1791 Philipp Wilhelm Grimm moved in with his family as the landgrave's district administrator; his sons Jacob and Wilhelm spent formative childhood years here until the father's early death in 1796 left the family in straitened circumstances.

Later the building served as a district court until 1975 and then housed the town administration and local clubs. In 1998 the town of Steinau, together with the Brüder Grimm-Gesellschaft, set up a memorial to the Brothers Grimm in it. After comprehensive renovation and a new concept, the museum reopened on May 15, 2011.

Across some 600 square meters in 19 rooms, the museum tells of the brothers' careers, their work as linguists and their political engagement, in sections on life, work and fairy tales. One cabinet is devoted to the etchings and drawings of their younger brother Ludwig Emil Grimm. The entire upper floor, once their father's official quarters, presents the fairy tales in a European context – with listening, viewing and touch stations, fairy tale books from around the world and illustrations. During the renovation, historic wall paintings were uncovered, including red trompe-l'oeil architecture from around 1590. Across the way, the Museum Steinau, covered by the same ticket, presents the town as a stop on the old trade route.

Highlights

• Renaissance administrator's house from 1562, the Brothers Grimm's childhood home
• Fairy tale floor with listening, viewing and touch stations
• Cabinet with prints by Ludwig Emil Grimm
• Historic wall painting (trompe-l'oeil architecture around 1590)
• Former courtroom with a small stage for fairy tale storytelling

Permanent exhibitions

• Leben und Wirken der Brüder Grimm – The first floor covers the Grimm family's childhood in Steinau, the brothers' life stations, and their work as linguists and political activity; a cabinet shows prints by Ludwig Emil Grimm.
• Bereich Märchen – The upper floor places the fairy tales in a European context – from the oral tradition before the Grimms and their worldwide spread to theater and the visual arts, with many hands-on stations.

Founded

1998

Operated by

Stadt Steinau an der Straße

Director

Stefanie Dallmann

Admission & discounts

The ticket is valid for both the Brüder Grimm-Haus and the Museum Steinau.

Accessibility

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

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Hands-on stations

The fairy-tale area on the second floor is designed for discovering with all the senses: listening to fairy tales, watching films and touching objects. Family ticket available; fairy-tale readings on selected dates.

Getting there & parking

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

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop with fairy tale books in the foyer (visitor service and ticket desk).

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit