Freiherr von Ow-Wachendorfsche Sammlungen
Private archaeological and historical collection in Wachendorf Castle, open only to groups on request.
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About the museum
The archaeological collection at Wachendorf Castle was founded around 1860 by Hans Karl von Ow. He and his son Hans Otto von Ow carried out excavations themselves and helped rescue many finds from the region. Hans Otto von Ow is also regarded as the founder of the Wachendorf Castle museum.
The collection comprises significant regional and supraregional finds from the Paleolithic to the early modern period, as well as pieces from North and South America, Egypt, Magna Graecia and the Baltic Sea. Since 2006, the Institut für Kulturvermittlung (Institute for Cultural Mediation) has looked after the holdings; the finds have been recorded, inventoried and largely identified. A find catalog was published in 2025 in the "Fundberichten aus Baden-Württemberg" (Find Reports from Baden-Württemberg).
With funds from the 2022 emergency aid program for local history museums, the exhibits were re-presented: wall and case panels give brief information, while more detailed information is available on a tablet. Highlights include lake-dwelling finds from Lake Constance, Geneva and Lake Pfäffikon, Celtic bronze jewelry from Ammerbuch-Pfäffingen, Roman finds from estates in the surrounding area, and pieces from the early medieval cemetery of Oberflacht.
Highlights
- Lake-dwelling finds from Lake Constance, Geneva and Lake Pfäffikon
- Celtic bronze jewelry from Ammerbuch-Pfäffingen
- Roman finds from estates near Hirrlingen, Obernau and Bierlingen
- Finds from the early medieval cemetery of Oberflacht
- Gold-hilted sword grave from Ammerbuch-Entringen
Permanent exhibition
- Archäologische und historische Sammlung – Finds from the Paleolithic to the early modern period from the region and beyond, in newly designed cases with panel texts and a tablet.
- Operated by
- Familie Freiherr von Ow-Wachendorf (privat)
Admission & discounts
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Accessibility
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Kids & families
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Getting there & parking
The collection is in Wachendorf Castle on the Gut Wachendorf estate, Schlossstraße 9.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
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Events & venue rental
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Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Inquiries by email or telephone to Gut Wachendorf. Visits are only for interested groups (approx. 20–25 people). |
