Dornier-Museum

About the museum

The Dornier Museum was initiated by Silvius Dornier, a son of aircraft designer Claude Dornier, through the Dornier Stiftung für Luft- und Raumfahrt (Dornier Foundation for Aerospace) and opened in July 2009. It sits right next to Friedrichshafen Airport, just a few kilometers from the company's former factory sites.

The building by the Munich firm Allmann Sattler Wappner recalls an aircraft hangar; its floor plan echoes the shape of a taxiway branching off the runway. Inside and in an extensive landscaped park, nearly 400 exhibits are on display across about 6,000 square meters.

The exhibition tells the company's story from Claude Dornier's beginnings as a test engineer with the Zeppelin group in 1910, through the flying boats of the interwar years, to the sale of the company to Daimler-Benz in 1985. Technical developments are consistently linked to their political, economic and social context. On display are 14 original aircraft, a helicopter, full-scale space exhibits and full-size replicas of the Dornier Merkur and the Dornier Wal flying boat.

With a flight simulator, VR experiences, a children's exhibition and a playground, the museum has become the largest technology museum on Lake Constance and an events venue for the region.

Highlights

• Full-size replicas of the Dornier Wal flying boat and the Dornier Merkur
• Do 31 vertical takeoff aircraft and other original aircraft such as the Do 27 and Do 228
• Full-scale satellites and space technology
• Do 27 flight simulator in an original cockpit (ages 12 and up)
• Hangar architecture by Allmann Sattler Wappner right on the airfield

Permanent exhibitions

• Luftfahrt – A walk through Dornier company history, from early metal aircraft and flying boats to vertical takeoff aircraft and regional airliners.
• Raumfahrt – Satellites and space technology produced by Dornier, some at full scale, plus a dedicated space exhibition for children.
• Hangar – The large hall with original aircraft, a helicopter and the museum's large walk-in exhibits.

Founded

2009

Operated by

Dornier Stiftung für Luft- und Raumfahrt

Director

Philipp Lindner

Visitors per year

approx. 110,296 (2016)

Admission & discounts

Discount on regular admission: €1.50 with the Echt Bodensee Card, €1 with the Lake Constance guest card and when arriving by bus or train (including the bodo day ticket, Deutschland-Ticket via bwegtPlus). Free admission with the Bodensee Card Plus and the Bodensee-Erlebniskarte.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• 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

According to the operator, the museum and the DO-X Restaurant are fully accessible. Folding chairs available to take along on your visit. Other dogs only in the outdoor area, on the terrace and in the restaurant.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area
• Kids’ birthday parties

Children's exhibition on space travel, walk-through aircraft and helicopters, mini pedal planes, flight simulator (ages 12 and up) and Toniebox puzzle tour from age 3. Holiday programs, workshops, children's birthday parties, play corner in the hangar and playground on the restaurant terrace.

Getting there & parking

GPS address Claude-Dornier-Platz 1; from Friedrichshafen follow the airport signs.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Lockers

DO-X restaurant with a terrace and a view of the airfield, accessible without museum admission; Sunday breakfast buffet 9:00–11:30. Museum shop with a large selection of Dornier items.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Hangar, forum, apron, terrace, DO-X Restaurant, and seminar and conference rooms (DO.labor, foyer, 270° room, CINEBALL); weddings in the aircraft hangar, catering by the DO-X Restaurant.

Plan your visit