Museum Hitzacker (Elbe) – Das Alte Zollhaus

About the museum

The Alte Zollhaus was completed in 1589 with three storeys and is the oldest non-church building in Hitzacker as well as one of the largest surviving half-timbered houses in the Wendland. At the time, a watercourse between two arms of the Jeetzel reached up to the building, so Elbe ships could moor directly in front of the official building and declare their goods. The house survived the great fire of 1668, which destroyed the neighboring houses and St. John's Church.

It was extended in the early 18th century. After customs duties ended in 1872, the Royal Hydraulic Engineering Office moved in; from 1958 it was the Water and Shipping Office, and some employees lived in the house. Since 1980 the building has belonged to the town of Hitzacker, and after major renovations in 1985/86 it has served as a museum and event venue. The operator is the Heimat- und Museumsverein Hitzacker (Elbe) und Umgebung e. V. (local heritage and museum association); operation and management have for decades been in volunteer hands.

Under the theme "GrenzenLos" ("Boundless"), the exhibition tells the changing history of the town surrounded by water, of shipbuilding, navigation and hydraulic engineering, and of well-known Hitzacker figures such as Duke August the Younger, the geographer Bernhard Varenius and Prince Claus of the Netherlands. With the Sofafloß (sofa raft), the museum also offers trips on the Elbe.

Highlights

• Half-timbered house from 1589, the oldest non-church building in town
• Theme "GrenzenLos" on the history of the Elbe town
• Topics: shipbuilding, shipping and hydraulic engineering
• Excursions on the Elbe with the Sofafloß
• Museum courtyard with summer events

Permanent exhibition

• Dauerausstellung „GrenzenLos“ – The exhibition covers Hitzacker's location on the water, the Zollhaus, shipbuilding and hydraulic engineering, and the town's notable sons.

Operated by

Heimat- und Museumsverein Hitzacker (Elbe) und Umgebung e. V.

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• 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 Sofafloß is suitable for wheelchair users, but the toilet on board is not; registration with a note is requested.

Kids & families

• Hands-on stations

Children up to 10 years old enter free. For hands-on activities there are, among others, VR glasses and action days with experiments around the Elbe.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located in the middle of the town island in the old town of Hitzacker.

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