Museum Bernau

About the museum

The Museum Bernau is among the oldest museums in Brandenburg. Inspired by the Berlin physician Emil Jacobsen, it opened on May 15, 1882 in the Steintor and was initially devoted mainly to the Hussite campaign of 1432 and medieval defense – it is considered the first Hussite museum ever.

The Steintor was the eastern city gate of the fortifications. The gate building includes the Hungerturm (hunger tower), which served as both a watchtower and a prison and has a deep dungeon. Today the museum shows weapons here from the Middle Ages to modern times, such as wall crossbows from the 15th/16th century and the development of handguns, as well as evidence of Bernau crafts such as cloth making and beer brewing and guild objects.

Since 1976 the Henkerhaus (executioner's house) on the city wall, once the residence of the executioner in the 17th century, has belonged to the museum. It presents a reconstructed black kitchen (Schwarze Küche), a middle-class parlor with porcelain and Bernau beer steins, a Hussite room, and, in the cellar, instruments of historical justice. At Christmastime a toy exhibition is shown there.

The two buildings open in seasonal rotation: the Steintor in the summer half-year, the Henkerhaus in the winter half-year. The municipal museum also includes the Kantorhaus as its administrative seat, the city archive, and a storage depot.

Highlights

• Gothic Steintor with Hungerturm and dungeon
• Wall crossbows and historic firearms
• Henkerhaus with a black kitchen
• Instruments of historical justice
• Hussite room on the history of 1432

Permanent exhibitions

• Museum im Steintor: Wehrwesen, Waffen und Handwerk – In the medieval city gate, the museum shows weapons from the crossbow to the repeating firearm as well as tools and guild signs of Bernau craftsmen. Open from May to September.
• Museum im Henkerhaus: Alltag und Rechtsgeschichte – The former executioner's house presents a black kitchen, a middle-class parlor, a Hussite room, and equipment of historical justice. Open from October to April.

Founded

1882

Operated by

Stadt Bernau bei Berlin

Admission & discounts

Museum im Henkerhaus (October–April): €2, reduced €1. Museum im Steintor (May–September): €4, reduced €2. Children under 7 free in each case.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: not available
• 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

Access to the Steintor is via steep, short steps and a narrow, winding passage; the exhibition is spread over several floors up to the viewing platform.

Kids & families

• Stroller-friendly: not available

At Christmastime a toy exhibition can be seen in the Henkerhaus.

Getting there & parking

Steintor (Hussitenstraße 1) and Henkerhaus (Am Henkerhaus 1) are located on the historic city wall of Bernau's old town.

Amenities & dining

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

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit