Erstes Deutsches Türmermuseum
Germany's first tower watchmen's museum in Vilseck's Vogelturm: everyday life, duties and music of the Upper Palatinate town watchmen on three floors.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Vogelturm was built in 1466 as a gate tower in Vilseck's town wall, and a forebuilding was added in 1568. The road to Auerbach led through it. It received its name in the 19th century after the night watchman Bartholomäus Vogel, who lived here; before that, the town tower watchmen had lived until about 1800 in the keep of Burg Dagestein. The tower, now a landmark of the town, was renovated from 1994 to 1996.
On 30 June 2000 the First German Tower Watchmen's Museum opened in it. The town of Vilseck is the operator; the installation was supported by the Bezirk Oberpfalz, the Arbeitsamt Schwandorf and the Landesstelle für die nichtstaatlichen Museen.
On three floors the museum tells of the everyday life of the tower watchmen, who from the 15th into the 20th century held a dual role in many Upper Palatinate towns: from the highest point of the town they watched for fire and enemies and raised the alarm with trumpet or trombone, and at the same time they were the town's musicians. Besides documents, their music can also be heard. Also on view are two smoke kitchens, the working clockwork of the tower clock, and a dress from 1848 that the dancer Lola Montez is said to have left behind here on her flight with Elias Peißner, the Vilseck tower watchman's son. Special exhibitions present tower watchmen of other towns and regions.
Highlights
- Vogelturm of 1466, landmark of Vilseck
- Everyday life and music of the Upper Palatinate tower watchmen on three floors
- Two historic smoke kitchens
- Working tower clock mechanism
- Dress of 1848 that Lola Montez is said to have left behind here
Permanent exhibition
- Die Oberpfälzer Türmer – Three floors on the duties, everyday life and music of the town tower watchmen, who worked as guards and musicians from the 15th into the 20th century.
- Founded
- 2000
- Operated by
- Stadt Vilseck
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €2 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €1.50Persons entitled to a discount |
| Children & teens | €0.50Children up to 6 years free, children and pupils up to 16 years €0.50. |
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Vilseck Bahnhof
Vilseck station on the Nuremberg–Weiden line (Verkehrsverbund Großraum Nürnberg).
By car
Parking available
Car park at Ziegelanger (near Bahnhofstraße) on the edge of the old town.
By car via the A 6, A 9 or A 93. The Vogelturm stands on the market square opposite the town hall.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Tours for groups of 10 or more persons by arrangement. In addition, the nearby keep of Burg Dagestein, the former tower watchman's dwelling, can be visited. |
