Fränkische Schweiz-Museum
Regional museum in the Judenhof beneath the Tüchersfeld rock formations: earth history, archaeology, Jewish life, folklore and art in more than 40 rooms.
About the museum
The Fränkische Schweiz-Museum opened on July 24, 1985, in Tüchersfeld, a district of Pottenstein. Founding director Rainer Hofmann headed it until 2018. It is run by a special-purpose association of the districts of Bayreuth, Forchheim and Bamberg and the town of Pottenstein.
The museum occupies the so-called Judenhof, an ensemble of five half-timbered buildings from the 18th century beneath the striking rock spires of Tüchersfeld. After the Thirty Years' War, the local lordship settled Jewish families here, who at first lived in the dilapidated Lower Castle. After a fire destroyed the castle in 1756, a larger residential complex for up to thirteen families was built in its place, which included a synagogue from the start. After the end of the Jewish community, the buildings were divided into many individual properties and fell into disrepair; from 1979 they were extensively restored.
Today, more than 40 exhibition rooms tell the natural and cultural history of the Fränkische Schweiz – from fossils of the Jurassic sea and Ice Age animal bones from the region's caves, through finds from prehistory and the Middle Ages, to farmhouse parlors, workshops, traditional costumes and paintings by artists who discovered the landscape. The preserved synagogue shows rural Jewish life in the region. Special exhibitions that change every year, an extensive guided tour program and hands-on activities for children round out the collection.
Highlights
- Original, preserved synagogue from the 18th century
- Life-size cave bear and Ice Age fauna
- Fossils from the Jurassic sea
- Historic farmhouse parlors, workshops and traditional costumes
- Paintings by Richard Albitz, Curt Herrmann and Albert Lamm
- Museum courtyard with bread oven and farm garden beneath the Tüchersfeld rocks
Permanent exhibitions
- Landjudentum in der Fränkischen Schweiz – Judaica and everyday objects of Jewish families, presented in the Judenhof's original, preserved synagogue.
- Aus einem Meer vor unserer Zeit – Erdgeschichte – Fossils from the Jurassic sea and bones of Ice Age large mammals from the region's caves, including a life-size cave bear.
- Leben und Sterben in der Fränkischen Schweiz – Volkskunde – Living rooms, clothing, tools and machines show the work and daily life of the rural population.
- Founded
- 1985
- Operated by
- Zweckverband Fränkische Schweiz-Museum (Landkreise Bayreuth, Forchheim und Bamberg, Stadt Pottenstein)
- Director
- Dr. Jens Kraus
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | –People with disabilities, university students, guests with the ErlebnisCard and others |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 18 · Children and teenagers up to age 18 have free admission. |
| Visitors with disabilities | –People with disabilities pay the reduced admission. |
| Students & apprentices | –Reduced admission for university students. |
| Groups (15+ people) | €4 per personFrom 15 people; a group visit without a guided tour during opening hours does not need to be registered. School classes with a guided tour pay €2.50 per person (accompanying adults free); on request, the museum covers €1 per child toward bus costs. |
| Detective tour "Der Meisterdieb aus Tüchersfeld" (game book) | €7.50Interactive adventure tour for 1–4 people, 40–90 minutes, ages 12 and up |
| Painter's tour in the footsteps of Ludwig Richter (game booklet) | €5Short version €3; 30–200 minutes depending on the route, ages 12 and up |
Payment in cash or by EC card; tickets and vouchers on site or online. Free admission for members of ICOM and the Deutscher Museumsbund, the Verband der Gästeführer and the Verband der Restauratoren, and holders of the Ehrenamtskarte.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: not available
- Accessible parking
- 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 dating from 1763 extends over several levels with stairs and steps; some areas are not accessible or only partially accessible to wheelchair users. The restrooms have grab bars but are located above a staircase about 1.1 m wide with five steps. There is seating in almost all rooms. Two accessible parking spaces directly next to the museum (slight slope, grass pavers). Tours adapted to your needs on request; please bring your own amplifier or microphone.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 1.5 hrs |
|---|---|
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 18 |
- 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
The museum ghost Kuno accompanies children through the exhibition; two free scavenger hunts (princess hunt and spooky hunt, about 30 minutes each) are available at the ticket desk. Hands-on stations such as a loom and a stone drill, computer stations, as well as family afternoons, a craftsmen's market and time travel with costumed performers. After a brief word at the ticket desk, strollers can go through the gate into the inner courtyard. Baby changing table in the women's restroom, outdoor toys for toddlers in the museum courtyard. Children's birthday parties by arrangement with the museum educator.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Tüchersfeld / Fränkische Schweiz-Museum · 5-min walk
VGN bus lines from the direction of Bayreuth, Pegnitz, Pottenstein, Gößweinstein, Forchheim and Ebermannstadt; connections from the Pegnitz and Ebermannstadt train stations. On Sundays and public holidays during the steam railway season (May to the end of October), the FSMT-Kulturbus shuttles from Behringersmühle station to the museum.
By car
Free parking
Free parking in the village, including on the street "Zum Zeckenstein," and a large hikers' parking lot at the village exit toward Rackersberg; depending on the parking lot, one to five minutes on foot. Bus parking next to the fire station at the village exit; tour groups get off on the street "Zum Zeckenstein" level with the inn "Zum Fahnenstein" (about 60 m to the museum).
- Accessible parking
Directly on the B 470 between Pegnitz and Forchheim; about 15 minutes from the A9 exits Trockau, Pegnitz and Plech, or alternatively via the A73 (Forchheim) or A70 (Hollfeld). The Kulturbus runs about 10:45–16:50 in sync with the steam railway, has eight seats, does not take wheelchairs and costs €1.50 (one way) or €2.50 (round trip). On foot from Gößweinstein in about 40 minutes, from Behringersmühle in about 45 minutes; the Frankenweg and Fränkischer Gebirgsweg trails pass through Tüchersfeld.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café: not available
- Restaurant: not available
- Museum shop
No café of its own; the "Brotzeitstüberl" is right next to the museum, and the inn "Zum Fahnenstein" is about 70 m away. You may eat your own packed snack in the museum courtyard. Museum shop with literature, hiking maps, souvenirs, jewelry, toys and regional products. Pets are not allowed on the grounds; in front of the museum there is a tie-up spot for dogs with drinking water.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Themed tours for groups, school classes and kindergartens by arrangement, many also as costumed tours. For groups, the museum recommends a stay of at least 90 minutes. With the game books, the detective tour and the painter's tour can be done independently at any time during opening hours. |
