Deutsches Salzmuseum

Current exhibitions

About the museum

For around a thousand years, salt was extracted in Lüneburg from underground brine. The saltworks was considered one of the oldest and, at times, largest industrial operations in Central Europe; its salt founded the wealth of the Hanseatic city and was traded across the Baltic as far as Scandinavia.

After salt production ended in 1980, the buildings were listed as a protected ensemble. In the last surviving boiling house, dating from the 1920s and at one time partly used as a supermarket, the Deutsches Salzmuseum opened in 1989 – one of the early examples in Germany of an industrial monument converted into a museum. As early as 1991 it received the European Museum of the Year Award.

The site also includes the 1832 well house above the historic brine well, two brine storage buildings from the early 19th century on the Solehügel (brine hill) and a former donkey stable now used for education programs and special exhibitions. In a demonstration boiling hut, salt boilers show the medieval technique of boiling brine in lead pans.

The permanent exhibition spans the story from salt as a raw material through the Middle Ages and the early modern period to the 20th century. The museum is run by the Museumsstiftung Lüneburg; a comprehensive renovation of the ensemble, a new entrance building and a completely redesigned permanent exhibition are planned for the coming years.

Highlights

• Last surviving boiling house of the Lüneburg saltworks
• Salt boiling demonstrations in the replica medieval boiling hut
• "Sieden wie im Mittelalter" (boiling like in the Middle Ages): boil your own salt with a salt boiler (registration required)
• 1832 well house above the historic brine well
• European Museum of the Year Award 1991

Permanent exhibitions

• 1000 Jahre Salzgeschichte – From salt as a raw material through the medieval saltworks to industrial production in the 20th century, with a large boiling pan and hands-on stations.

Founded

1989

Operated by

Museumsstiftung Lüneburg

Director

Dr. Alexandra Hentschel

Admission & discounts

Free admission for members of ICOM and the Deutscher Museumsbund (German Museums Association).

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Step-free access to almost all areas, ramps and seating; the Solehügel, parts of the basement and the special exhibition area are not accessible. Assistance dogs welcome, other dogs not allowed.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Audio guide with a children's track, family tours, grandparent-grandchild tours on holiday Fridays (ages 7 and up), activity days such as crystal growing, and children's birthday parties; in the salt-boiling course you make your own salt.

Getting there & parking

GPS address: Auf dem Harz, 21335 Lüneburg.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop with salts, books and souvenirs.

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit