Domschatz Minden
Modern museum building next to Minden Cathedral with medieval reliquaries, liturgical objects and the famous Minden Cross of 1120.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Diocese of Minden existed from 799 to 1648 and had a total of 60 bishops. During this time, reliquaries, crosses, chalices and other liturgical objects accumulated, and a significant part of them survived fires, wars and losses. The first inventories date from the 14th and 15th centuries; a large inventory was compiled in 1683 on commission from the Great Elector.
After World War II, a treasury was first set up in the Westwerk of the cathedral, and from 1980 in the newly built parish center Haus am Dom. In 2016 the treasury was completely redesigned; in March 2017 the Minden Cathedral Treasury opened in a modern, metal-clad cube at Kleiner Domhof 24, only about 50 meters from the cathedral. The architect Ines Miersch-Süß designed it as a daylight museum, and the Cologne exhibition architect Claudia Hoffmann designed the presentation. The building has around 450 square meters of exhibition and service space across three floors.
The collection is considered one of the most important collections of Christian art in Germany. Its main works include the Minden Cross of 1120, the Petri Shrine from the 11th century and the Gießlöwe (aquamanile) of 1168. Since the reopening, the museum has been run by the interdenominational Dombau-Verein Minden e. V. (Cathedral Building Association), which operates the house as a regular museum.
Highlights
- Minden Cross of 1120 in its own room
- Petri Shrine from the 11th century
- Gießlöwe (aquamanile) from 1168
- Reliquaries, chalices and liturgical objects from the Romanesque period to the present
- New building as a “daylight museum” next to the cathedral
Permanent exhibitions
- Schatzkammer: Mindener Kreuz und mittelalterliche Kunst – The second floor displays the main works from the period of the Diocese of Minden, including the Minden Cross of 1120 in its own room, reliquaries and goldsmith's work.
- Sammlung nach 1500 und Bibliothek – The third floor is modeled on a sacristy and displays liturgical objects from the period after 1500; the parish library is also located here.
- Operated by
- Dombau-Verein Minden e. V.
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €4 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3Pupils aged 18 and over, students (except “Studium im Alter”, seniors' studies), trainees, participants in the Federal Voluntary Service and the Voluntary Social Year, recipients of ongoing assistance for living costs, people with a severe disability of 80% or more |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Children and young people under 18 admitted free. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €3companion free · From 80% severe disability; a required companion is admitted free upon proof. |
| Students & apprentices | €3 |
| Groups (10+ people) | €3 per personGroups of 10 or more people; tour leader free. |
| Annual pass | €36Personal; free admission on all opening days, except special exhibitions. |
| Public guided tour (treasury or cathedral) | €6Admission to the treasury is included in the price. |
| Climb to the Westwerk of the cathedral (public guided tour) | €4Only in snow- and ice-free weather, at your own risk. |
| Group tour of the treasury | €60Flat rate per group (max. 20 people) plus admission. |
| School class with guided tour | €30Flat rate; without a guided tour, free admission with up to 3 accompanying adults. |
Free admission for ICOM members and for two people with the Ehrenamtskarte NRW (and holders of comparable cards from other federal states). Presenting a ticket from the Minden Museum within three months earns a one-time €0.50 discount.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- 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
The building is set up to be accessible. The elevator to the exhibition area on the second floor is located in the entrance area of the house at the cathedral (Kleiner Domhof 30); a platform lift connects the second and third floors. Inquiries to the visitor service in the foyer.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 17 |
|---|
Children and young people under 18 enter free; school classes can visit free of charge with up to three accompanying adults (without a guided tour).
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
Parking: Rathaus underground garage (Domstraße), underground garage of the former Obermarkt center (Lindenstraße at the ZOB central bus station, about 3 minutes on foot), Großer Domhof parking lot (about 3 minutes on foot), large parking lot Kanzlers Weide (Hausberger Straße, about 10 minutes on foot via the Glacis bridge).
The treasury is only a few meters from Minden Cathedral, at Kleiner Domhof 24.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
- Wi-Fi
Treasury shop in the entrance area, free Wi-Fi in the building.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Public guided tours of the treasury take place on the first Saturday of the month at 11:00 (€6), and of the cathedral on the second Saturday at 11:00; meeting point in the treasury, dates may change. Group tours can be booked. The free treasury app (iOS/Android) provides information about the exhibits, and a treasury guide is available as a PDF. The museum is also a stamp station and information point for pilgrims on the Sigwardsweg and the Jakobsweg No. 3. |
