Genscherhaus – Begegnungsstätte Deutsche Einheit

About the museum

Hans-Dietrich Genscher, Federal Foreign Minister from 1974 to 1992 and one of the architects of German reunification, was born in 1927 in Reideburg, which is now part of Halle. His birthplace on Schönnewitzer Straße is a late Neoclassical residential house from 1865/66 that stood empty for a long time. From 2008 it was renovated with donations and public funds and opened in 2010 as an education and meeting centre for German unity; at the end of 2012 a permanent exhibition was added, which provided content to accompany the Archive of Liberalism.

The house is now run by the Hans-Dietrich Genscher-Stiftung e. V. Since 2025 the exhibition has been gradually modernised: a first room with an interactive bookshelf is devoted to the emergence of liberalism and the German nation-state as well as Genscher's path into politics; the content can also be listened to on a smartphone via QR code. Further rooms, from the Weimar Republic through the division of Germany to reunification and European integration, are to follow.

On the ground floor, a large hall with a photo gallery and quotations from Genscher invites visitors to conversations and events, such as the “Diplomatic Salon”. The house sees itself in particular as an out-of-school learning venue for school classes from Central Germany; visits are possible by registration.

Highlights

• Birthplace of long-serving Foreign Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher
• Interactive bookshelf on the history of liberalism
• Audio guide via QR code
• Event hall with photo gallery and Genscher quotations

Permanent exhibition

• Auf dem Weg zur Deutschen Einheit – Modernised permanent exhibition on Genscher's biography and the history of liberalism; further rooms up to German reunification are under construction.

Founded

2010

Operated by

Hans-Dietrich Genscher-Stiftung e. V.

Admission & discounts

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• 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
• Audio description: no information

The listed building is currently accessible only via stairs. Audio guide via QR code; information in Easy Language on the website.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

From Halle, leave the city via Delitzscher Straße to Reideburg; from the A14, take exit 18 Halle-Ost, then L165/Delitzscher Straße towards Halle.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The ground-floor hall is used as an event venue.

Plan your visit