Doktor-Eisenbarth- und Stadtmuseum

About the museum

The Oberviechtach pharmacist Karl Foißner founded the “Doktor-Eisenbarth- und Heimatmuseum” on the market square in 1967 and looked after the collection on a voluntary basis until 1986. From 1980 onwards the building became too small; after several failed attempts, in 2000 the town acquired the listed Marktmühle on Mühlweg, whose origins probably date back to the late 15th century. It was renovated and extended from 2003.

In July 2005, the museum was inaugurated under the new name “Doktor-Eisenbarth- und Stadtmuseum”, and in May 2006 it opened to visitors. A walk-in gold mine tunnel was added in 2007. Between 2011 and 2013, the building was redesigned with funding: the department “Handwerk und Hausnamen” (Crafts and House Names) was created, the sections on Eisenbarth and local history were revised, and all departments were equipped with media stations.

At the centre is Johann Andreas Eisenbarth (1663–1727), the itinerant physician born in Oberviechtach. The museum paints a picture of him as a capable and business-minded doctor, contradicting the satirical song about the quack. Other departments are devoted to the region's gold mining, documented since the 14th century, the reverse glass painting of the “Winklarner Schule”, the history of Oberviechtach and the lordship of Murach, and the donor couple Dr. Max and Margret Schwarz. The museum is run by the town of Oberviechtach; the museum association founded in 2004 supports its operation.

Highlights

• Department on the itinerant physician Johann Andreas Eisenbarth (1663–1727)
• Replica of a gold stamping mill and walk-in experience tunnel
• Reverse glass paintings of the “Winklarner Schule”
• “Handwerk und Hausnamen” department on crafts and dialect
• Herb garden with medicinal plants that Eisenbarth used

Permanent exhibitions

• Doktor Eisenbarth (1663–1727) – The life and work of the itinerant physician born in Oberviechtach, shown here as a successful doctor and entrepreneur rather than a quack.
• Gold im Raum Oberviechtach – The region's medieval gold mining with a stamping mill replica, walk-in tunnel and media stations.
• Handwerk und Hausnamen – Old crafts, Oberviechtach house names and the local dialect on the second floor.

Founded

1967

Operated by

Stadt Oberviechtach (unterstützt vom Museumsverein Oberviechtach e. V.)

Admission & discounts

Temporary exhibitions are included in the admission price.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• 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
• Audio description: no information

The museum is not considered barrier-free; seating is available. Offerings in Easy Language.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Kids’ birthday parties

Media stations, puzzles and riddles in the departments; workshops and craft sessions for children. The Tourist Information's gold-panning hike “Auf den Spuren der alten Goldgräber” (In the footsteps of the old gold diggers) can also be booked as a children's birthday party.

Getting there & parking

Oberviechtach is on the B 22; the motorway junctions on the A 93 and A 6 are each about 20 km away.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Small museum shop.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit