Deutsches Chemie-Museum Merseburg

About the museum

After reunification, the restructuring of the central German chemical industry threatened to cause numerous historic plants to be lost. To save them, the association Sachzeugen der chemischen Industrie (SCI) was founded, which brought the Deutsches Chemie-Museum Merseburg into being in 1993.

The museum is located on the grounds of the Hochschule Merseburg and covers about 36,000 square meters. Of about 5,000 collected objects, over 300 can be seen in the outdoor area of the technology park – pumps, compressors, distillation columns, reactors, and a fireless steam locomotive. In two brick halls stand an ammonia synthesis chamber and a circulation pump from around 1916/17, testimony to the Haber-Bosch process.

The museum is run by volunteers and works closely with the university. In the project "Erlebniswelt Chemie", digital educational formats were created, such as a chat guide, Actionbound rallies, podcasts, and a VR application, aimed above all at school classes. Since 1996 the association has also published the series "Merseburger Beiträge" and holds regular colloquia.

Highlights

• Ammonia synthesis chamber of the Haber-Bosch process
• Circulation pump from around 1916/17
• Rubber belt machine
• Over 300 large exhibits in the technology park
• Discovery areas with an engine test bench and plastics testing lab

Permanent exhibitions

• Technikpark – Outdoor area with large chemical industry apparatus such as pumps, compressors, columns, and reactors from several decades of central German chemical history.
• Beliebte Exponate: Ammoniaksynthese und Kautschuk – Halls with the ammonia synthesis chamber and circulation pump of the Haber-Bosch process as well as chlor-alkali electrolysis and a rubber belt machine.
• Entdeckerfelder – Hands-on areas with an engine test bench, plastics testing lab, and periodic table of the elements, accessible as part of guided tours.

Founded

1993

Operated by

Förderverein Sachzeugen der chemischen Industrie e.V.

Admission & discounts

Prices apply to tours during regular opening hours. On weekdays, visiting the outdoor areas without a tour is free (donations requested). Discovery areas, circulation compressor, periodic table, and exhibition hall are accessible only with a tour. Chat guide, Actionbound, and (after advance registration) VR game for a fee and deposit.

Accessibility

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

Kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

Actionbound rallies on plastics and recycling as well as learning games on the periodic table; educational programs for school classes from elementary school or grade 7.

Getting there & parking

On the campus of the Hochschule Merseburg; mailing address c/o Hochschule Merseburg, Eberhard-Leibnitz-Straße 2.

Amenities & dining

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

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit