August 22, 2026 – January 3, 2027
Charles Ray
The US sculptor's first institutional solo exhibition in Germany, with sculptures from five decades, including previously unseen works. Recommended for ages 16 and up.
Fridericianum
Kunsthalle for contemporary art on Kassel's Friedrichsplatz – one of the first public museums in Europe and a core venue of documenta.
Opening hoursAdmission from €6 Wheelchair accessible Café
Current exhibitions
October 3, 2026 – January 3, 2027
Mohammed Sami: Hostless
Paintings by the Baghdad-born, London-based painter, who depicts interiors as repositories of memory and subtle unease.
August 22, 2026 – January 3, 2027
Tomma Abts – Wandmalerei in der Rotunde
Site-specific wall work in which four basic geometric shapes play with the semicircular architecture and glass roof of the rotunda.
From March 12, 2026
Raque Ford: The only one willing to do the hard part
Intervention by the US artist in the building, on view until January 2027.
November 8, 2021 – February 28, 2027
Karl Holmqvist: The Pink Triangle
Long-term intervention by the Swedish artist using text and language as material.
About the museum
Landgrave Frederick II of Hesse-Kassel had the Fridericianum built from 1769 to plans by Simon Louis du Ry; it opened in 1779 as one of the earliest publicly accessible museum buildings in Europe. At the time, it brought together a library, art collections and natural history collections under one roof, making the landgraves' holdings accessible to a wider public.
During World War II, the Neoclassical building was largely gutted by fire. After provisional reconstruction, it became the main venue of the first documenta in 1955, initiated by Arnold Bode. Since then, the building has been a central exhibition venue at every edition of the world art exhibition.
Since 1988, the Fridericianum has also operated between documenta years as a Kunsthalle (exhibition hall) without a collection of its own. On more than 2,000 square meters, it presents changing solo and thematic exhibitions of international contemporary art. Its directors have included René Block, Rein Wolfs and Susanne Pfeffer; Moritz Wesseler has led the institution since 2018.
Today, the program focuses on introducing artists who have not yet had a major institutional presentation in Germany and on rediscovering forgotten historical positions. It is complemented by interventions in the rotunda and café, educational programs and live events. The operator is documenta und Museum Fridericianum gGmbH, owned by the city of Kassel and the state of Hesse.
Highlights
- One of the first public museum buildings in Europe (1779)
- Main exhibition venue of documenta since 1955
- Changing solo exhibitions of international contemporary art
- Artistic interventions in the rotunda and café
- Free admission on Wednesdays, always free for under-18s
- Founded
- 1779
- Operated by
- documenta und Museum Fridericianum gGmbH (Stadt Kassel und Land Hessen)
- Director
- Moritz Wesseler
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €6 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €4Those eligible for reduced rates, including people with disabilities (disability rating/GdB of 50 or higher) |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Children and teenagers up to 18 free |
| Seniors | –No separate senior discount listed |
| Visitors with disabilities | €4companion free · Disability rating (GdB) of 50 or higher |
| Students & apprentices | €2University students and apprentices €2; university students with a Kulturticket free |
| Groups | –Booked group tours (approx. 60 min.) €60, workshops (approx. 120 min.) €120, each plus admission; school classes visiting as a class free (registration required), tour €30, workshop €60. |
| Families | –No family ticket; children and teenagers up to 18 free |
| Annual pass | €45 |
| Annual pass, reduced | €15 |
Free admission: every Wednesday
Public tours are included in admission. During documenta, documenta tickets apply.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Access via an outdoor ramp (approx. 8% gradient), two elevators (125 × 145 cm); two accessible restrooms in the basement, plus an accessible care restroom with a changing bench and hoist; folding stools to borrow; no guidance system for visually impaired visitors.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 17 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Stroller-friendly
- Baby changing facilities
- Kids’ birthday parties
Children's previews of new exhibitions, studio workshop on Saturdays, individually designed children's birthday parties; children up to 18 free. Baby changing tables in the accessible restrooms in the basement; feeding and breastfeeding possible in the café. The Charles Ray exhibition includes nudity and is recommended for ages 16 and up.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Friedrichsplatz
Tram 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 to Friedrichsplatz.
By car
Parking available
Public underground parking at Friedrichsplatz nearby; overview of downtown parking garages from the city of Kassel.
Amenities & dining
- Café
- Restaurant: not available
Certified organic Café im Fridericianum in the rotunda (Tue–Sun 11:00–18:00, Thu until 20:00, also between exhibitions), designed by Kerstin Brätsch, with a children's reading corner and a terrace on Friedrichsplatz in summer.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Regular public tours (dates in the calendar); group and school programs via education@fridericianum.org. |
