Haus der Weimarer Republik

Current exhibitions

About the museum

The building stands on historic ground opposite the Deutsches Nationaltheater, where the National Assembly met in 1919. In the Middle Ages a Franciscan monastery stood here. In the early 19th century a coach house for the grand-ducal carriages was built to plans by Clemens Wenzeslaus Coudray; the theater later used it as a scenery store. From 1887 the neighboring arsenal housed the Weimar artists' association.

After heavy damage in an air raid in February 1945, the remains of the coach house were extended with an exhibition hall in the 1950s and used as an art gallery. From 1994 it provisionally housed the Bauhaus-Museum, until the latter moved into a new building in 2018.

The idea of a place of remembrance for the Weimar Republic gained momentum around the 90th anniversary of the National Assembly in 2009. In 2013 the Weimarer Republik e.V. association was founded and proposed the soon-to-be-vacant building on Theaterplatz as a location. After public forums, a city council decision in 2016 and federal funding, the renovated old building opened in July 2019 with a permanent exhibition, cinema and café. In 2023 an extension with special exhibition space and an events center was added.

The permanent exhibition has no fixed route and invites visitors into six themed worlds – from the new beginning of 1918 through everyday life and modernity to the crises and destruction of the republic. Exhibits, photos, posters, media and listening stations and an introductory film convey the period; all content is bilingual. The museum is run by the Weimarer Republik e.V. with federal funding.

Highlights

• Multimedia permanent exhibition in six themed worlds, entirely in German/English
• Introductory film in the cinema (approx. 15 min., no admission required)
• Location opposite the Nationaltheater, where the National Assembly met in 1919
• Changing special exhibitions in the extension
• Café with listening telephones and artists' garden with summer events

Permanent exhibitions

• Die Weimarer Republik – Dauerausstellung – Open exhibition in six themed worlds on the revolution, everyday life, modernity, international connections and the failure of Germany's first democracy, with media stations, a listening station and an introductory film.

Founded

2019

Operated by

Weimarer Republik e.V.

Admission & discounts

Admission covers the permanent and special exhibitions. No online tickets; purchase on site only (cash or card). Free admission with the WeimarCard and WeimarPass. The introductory film, café and listening telephones can be used without an admission ticket.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• 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

The exhibition, cinema, foyer, café and shop are on one level with few barriers; the entrance door must be opened by hand. The terrace in the artists' garden is only reachable via a step. Hearing loops available in the foyer. Assistance dogs allowed, other animals not.

Kids & families

Only partly suitable for kids

The museum assumes a basic understanding of society and history and recommends visits from about grade 9; the decision is left to parents.

Getting there & parking

The museum cannot be reached directly by car; all sights in the old town are no more than a 15-minute walk away.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

Café with historic newspapers and wall telephones playing audio recordings; shop with books on the Weimar Republic; artists' garden with concerts, readings and film nights in summer. Lockers with a €1 deposit (max. 37 × 45 × 40 cm); large suitcases cannot be stored.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Plan your visit