Ernst Barlach Museum Ratzeburg

About the museum

The neoclassical house next to Ratzeburg's town church St. Petri was built around 1840. The physician Georg Barlach bought it in 1878 and set up his practice here; his son Ernst spent a few childhood years in the building until the family moved away after his father's death in 1884.

The Ernst Barlach Gesellschaft Hamburg acquired the house in 1956 and opened the first Barlach museum in the Federal Republic there the same year. After a thorough renovation between 1980 and 1982 it reopened; the owner today is the town of Ratzeburg, and the museum is run by the society.

The permanent exhibition was redesigned for the artist's 150th birthday. Bronzes, working models, ceramics and prints now stand alongside poetic films, a digital timeline, a Barlach game and an app. One floor is devoted to Barlach the writer and dramatist, and documentary films shed light on his Ratzeburg childhood.

Highlights

• Bronzes, working models, ceramics and prints by Ernst Barlach
• Multimedia exhibition with film installations and a digital timeline
• A floor of its own on Barlach the dramatist and writer
• Children's lab "Barlach for Kids" for ages 6 to 12
• Historic rooms of the former family home

Permanent exhibitions

• Barlach Reloaded – Museum multimedial – Selected works by Barlach in dialogue with film installations, a digital timeline and an app; one floor shows the dramatist and his world of theater.

Founded

1956

Operated by

Ernst Barlach Gesellschaft Hamburg e. V.

Admission & discounts

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: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum is currently not accessible.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

The "Barlach for Kids" program is aimed at ages 6 to 12, including on family visits: games and instructions for experimenting on tablets, acting out artworks, an augmented reality show with Barlach figures. The museum recommends about two hours for this, including breaks; educational support is offered for school classes and children's groups.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in Ratzeburg's island town at Barlachplatz 3, directly next to St. Petri church.

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