Heimatmuseum Reutlingen

About the museum

The roots of the museum lie in a collection of municipal antiquities that was first shown publicly in 1889. A year later an association for art and antiquity was founded, from which the Reutlingen history society later emerged; over decades it expanded the collection at changing locations.

Since 1939 the museum has been located in the Königsbronner Hof on Oberamteistraße. The building goes back to a stone house from the late 13th century, which received a half-timbered upper story in the 16th century. It served Königsbronn Monastery as a administrative estate and was later a Württemberg official seat. The ensemble includes the former monastery garden with a lapidarium and a late Gothic chapel from around 1500.

Shortly after opening, the house had to close because of the war and reopened in 1949. In the 1990s it was thoroughly renovated and refurnished. Today five levels lead through the Middle Ages and Reformation, imperial city and guild system, literature and publishers, the industrial age of the 19th century, and National Socialism and the postwar period.

The building is part of the Historische Museen Reutlingen (Reutlingen Historical Museums), which since 2026 ask for a freely chosen contribution instead of a fixed admission fee.

Highlights

• Tour through 800 years of city history on five levels
• Historic building of the Königsbronn monastery court
• Museum garden with lapidarium and late Gothic chapel
• Themes of the Reformation, Schwörtag (oath day) and guilds
• Admission at your own discretion

Permanent exhibitions

• Stadtgeschichte – 800 Jahre Reutlingen – Thematic tour from the Middle Ages through the Reformation, imperial city and guilds, literature and industrialization to the Nazi era and postwar years.

Founded

1890

Operated by

Stadt Reutlingen (Historische Museen Reutlingen)

Director

Christian Rilling (Leitung Historische Museen Reutlingen)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Instead of a fixed admission fee, the Historische Museen Reutlingen ask for a voluntary contribution in an amount of your choice. Those arriving with a same-day bwtarif ticket or Deutschland-Ticket receive a guided tour from the program free of charge.

Accessibility

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

According to the City of Reutlingen, wheelchair-accessible entry is available, as well as an accessible restroom.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly
• Kids’ birthday parties

On the first Sunday of the month (with a few exceptions), children aged 7 to 10 go on a tour of the city and museum as "Stadt.Entdecker" (city explorers), followed by a creative activity (€8, reduced €5, registration required). Themed children's birthday parties for ages 4 to 10 (Tue–Fri €85, Sat/Sun €95), plus open creative time and family tours.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

Museum garden (former monastery garden) with lapidarium as a public place to linger.

Events & venue rental

• Weddings / ceremonies

The museum garden and Gothic chapel can be used as a venue for outdoor wedding ceremonies.

Plan your visit