DDR-Museum Pirna

About the museum

The foundation of the museum was laid by the collector Conny Kaden, who gathered everyday objects from the GDR starting in 1993. In July 2005 he opened a private museum with them at a first, still small location in Pirna, which already attracted about 10,000 guests in its first year.

In March 2007 the collection moved to a barracks more than 140 years old on Rottwerndorfer Straße, which had been used successively by the imperial army, the Wehrmacht, and the National People's Army. There, over 700 m² were initially available; with a major expansion in May 2009, the thematically organized display grew to about 1,500 m². Today, by its own account, the museum covers more than 2,000 m² indoors and outdoors.

The tour follows a life course in the GDR – from birth, kindergarten, and school through the Pioneers and FDJ to housing, family, travel, the military, and radio and television technology. Reconstructed are, among other things, a complete apartment, a classroom, and Konsum and Intershop stores. Since 2011, a Gotha streetcar from Dresden, over 25 meters long, has stood in front of the building. The museum is operated without public funding and continues to grow through donations from visitors.

Highlights

• Fully furnished GDR apartment with kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom
• Original classroom with old schoolbooks
• Reconstructed Konsum and Intershop stores
• Dresden streetcar "Lottchen" in front of the museum
• Space travel room and vehicles such as the Trabant and Wartburg

Permanent exhibitions

• Alltag in der DDR – Thematic tour along a GDR life course with a furnished apartment, classroom, stores, military, and technology; outside stands a historic streetcar.

Founded

2005

Operated by

Conny Kaden (privat)

Admission & discounts

Cash only, no card payments possible.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• 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

Because of the historic building fabric, not all areas are accessible.

Kids & families

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Souvenir shop. Food and drinks (except water) are not allowed in the museum; dogs are not allowed in the museum.

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit