Grenzlandmuseum Bad Sachsa

About the museum

A friends' association founded the museum on November 12, 1992, exactly three years after the opening of the nearby border crossing. Its first home was a community house in the district of Tettenborn, where the founding members showed their collected items.

In December 2016 the collection moved to the former Haus des Gastes (spa visitors' center) in the Kurpark of Bad Sachsa, only a few kilometers from the former inner-German border. At around 344 square meters, the house is one of the smaller border museums; in 2022 a media and lecture room was added in the basement, and in 2025 the reception area was redesigned through the association's own efforts.

The permanent exhibition leads chronologically from the end of the war in 1945 through the exchange of territory in the Harz, the border closure of 1952, and the expansion of the border fortifications to the opening of the border in 1989 and unification in 1990. On display are uniforms and equipment of the East German border troops, an extensive collection of orders and decorations, functioning signal fence elements, and original sections of border fence. In addition, the association runs citizen science projects, collects eyewitness accounts, and works with the town's secondary schools.

Highlights

• Original border fence sections and functioning signal fence
• Uniforms, equipment, and decorations of the East German border troops
• Chronological tour 1945–1990 with a focus on the southern Harz
• Dioramas and multimedia stations
• Exhibition texts also available digitally via QR code

Permanent exhibitions

• 45 Jahre deutsche Teilungsgeschichte im Südharz – Chronological tour in several sections from the end of the war in 1945 through the border closure, escapes, and expansion of the border fortifications to the opening of the border in 1989 and unification in 1990 – with display panels, objects, dioramas, and media stations.

Founded

1992

Operated by

Grenzlandmuseum Bad Sachsa e.V.

Admission & discounts

Card payment possible.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• 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

Accessible entrance to the building and exhibition, seating available. According to the house rules, walking aids, umbrellas, and large bags may not be taken into the exhibition rooms; in case of doubt, staff decide. Touching the exhibits is not permitted.

Kids & families

• Stroller-friendly: not available

Children under 12 only when accompanied by adults. Strollers are not suitable depending on how busy it is; baby carriers only worn on the front. Breastfeeding is allowed.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located in the Haus des Gastes in the Kurpark (Am Kurpark 6).

Amenities & dining

Eating and drinking is not permitted in the museum.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Room rental on request; in the basement there is a media and lecture room.

Plan your visit