Faust-Museum

About the museum

Knittlingen is regarded as the birthplace of the historical Johann Georg Faust, who was born around 1480 and died around 1540 in Staufen. A first small Faust exhibition was created in 1954 in the town's new town hall; the school principal Karl Weisert was the driving force behind the early exhibitions.

In 1980, on the 500th anniversary of Faust's birth, the museum moved into the converted old town hall, a half-timbered building in the town center. In 2002 the exhibition was completely redesigned; the Faust Archive with its library and collections moved into the neighboring former Latin school.

On three levels, the museum follows the Faust material from contemporary sources through alchemy, legends, the chapbook and puppet theater to Goethe and the adaptations in literature, music, theater and film. A special piece is a star-shaped cabinet from Faust's birthplace, which attests to the alchemical interests of its residents. The museum is run by the town of Knittlingen.

Highlights

• Contemporary sources on the historical Faust
• Star-shaped "poison cabinet" from Faust's birthplace
• Re-created Renaissance alchemy laboratory
• Goethe's Faust and its stage adaptations
• Play stations for children on all levels

Permanent exhibitions

• Der historische Faust – The first floor presents accounts by contemporaries of Faust's life as an astrologer, healer and scholar of the Renaissance.
• Alchemie, Legende und frühe Literatur – The second floor covers alchemy, the origin of the legend of the pact with the devil, the 1587 chapbook, Marlowe and puppet theater.
• Goethes Faust – The third floor is devoted to Goethe's drama and its visual and theatrical impact up to the present day.

Founded

1980

Operated by

Stadt Knittlingen

Director

Denise Roth

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• 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 website offers information in Easy Language and a video in sign language.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

On all three levels there are play stations for children, such as a wall memory game, a bridge-building kit, a play corner with hand puppets and puppet theater films. There is also a museum treasure hunt, tours for children and children's birthday parties.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Plan your visit