Burgmuseum Horn-Bad Meinberg

About the museum

Horn was first mentioned in documents in 1248 and was founded in the Middle Ages by the lords of Lippe. Their castle is one of the oldest seats of the family. The oldest part, the "Steinernes Haus" (Stone House), dates from the 14th century; in the 17th century, the count and countess Hermann Adolph and Ernestine added a magnificent tower as well as the brewhouse and bakehouse.

Since 2003 the Heimatverein Horn e. V. (local heritage association) has run the castle museum on a volunteer basis. On the third floor of the castle, it shows in six thematic areas how the town developed from the Middle Ages to the present: urban development, the duties of the town council, marksmen's traditions and the Schlachtschwertierer (sword-bearing guild), crafts, industry and tourism, works by the Henckel brothers, and the history of the castle. The exhibits include coins, documents, chain mail and 16 two-handed swords from around 1600.

In the "Red Hall", designed as an experience space for children, the building history of the castle and the lives of its residents are presented. It was redesigned in 2025, and the historic water pipe and finds from the well cellar were given a new display on the theme of water. From the castle tower, the view extends over the earthworks, town wall and old town layout all the way to the Teutoburg Forest.

Highlights

• 16 two-handed swords from around 1600
• Red Hall on castle history, designed as an experience space for children
• Works by the brothers Robert and Karl Henckel
• View from the castle tower over the earthworks and old town
• Free admission, run by volunteers

Permanent exhibitions

• Stadtgeschichte Horns – Six thematic areas, from urban development through marksmen's traditions and crafts to industry and tourism.
• Roter Saal – Geschichte der Burg Horn – Room redesigned in 2025 on the origins, alterations and residents of the castle, plus finds from the well cellar on the theme of water.
• Zweihandschwerter und Ringpanzer – The famous 16 two-handed swords of the Schlachtschwertierer from around 1600, plus chain mail, coins and documents.

Operated by

Heimatverein Horn e. V.

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is free; the Heimatverein appreciates donations.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• 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

The museum is located on the third floor of the castle.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Kids’ birthday parties

Programs such as "Unterwegs mit dem Burggespenst" (Out and About with the Castle Ghost) for kindergartens and children's birthdays, a castle rally (from the 3rd school year) and a flashlight tour. Creative activities: stamping coins or coats of arms, writing with a bird-feather quill, making pot helmets, cone hats or small fabric ghosts. The Red Hall is designed as an experience space for children.

Getting there & parking

Coming from Detmold (B 239), take the first exit "Potthof" at the roundabout; the parking lot is about 100 meters away on the left. Navigation address: Burgstraße 13, 32805 Horn-Bad Meinberg.

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