Stadtmuseum Liebenwalde

About the museum

In 1878 Liebenwalde received a local court (Amtsgericht). Because the old town hall was too small for it, the present town hall was built in 1879, and just a year later the city jail followed directly behind it. It served for 73 years and was closed in 1952.

Afterwards the listed building lay dormant for some 45 years, used as a storeroom, coal cellar and archive. With the founding of the Liebenwalder Heimat- und Geschichtsverein (local history association) in 1997 it received a new purpose: in May 1999 the prison doors opened again, this time for museum visitors.

Bars on the windows, peepholes, food hatches, and inscriptions and paintings by former prisoners are preserved. In the cells and corridors the exhibition covers the town's history from its first mention in 1245 to 1989, the districts, shipping on the Finow Canal, church, school, fire brigade, crafts and clubs, as well as the “Heidekrautbahn” (Heath Plant Railway), to which an S-Bahn compartment in one cell is a tribute. An original prison cell can also be seen. The former prison yard now serves as a museum courtyard for festivals and events.

Highlights

• Museum in the former city jail (1880) with an original cell
• Wall paintings and inscriptions by former prisoners
• Cells on the Finow Canal, town history, crafts and fire brigade
• Cell with an S-Bahn compartment on the Heidekrautbahn
• Museum courtyard with events such as “Kino im Knast” (cinema in the jail)

Permanent exhibitions

• Stadtgeschichte und Ortsteile – Cells on the history of Liebenwalde from 1245 to 1989 and its districts, church, school, crafts, clubs and fire brigade.
• Schifffahrt und Heidekrautbahn – Exhibition on the Finow Canal and the rail link to Berlin, plus an original prison cell.

Founded

1999

Operated by

Liebenwalder Heimat- und Geschichtsverein e. V.

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: not available
• 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

The floors inside and outside are only partly accessible; the guest toilet can be reached only by stairs. Handrails on all staircases, plenty of seating, and space to park strollers and rollators.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Fairy tale hours in the cell with the S-Bahn compartment; the museum courtyard hosts the museum festival, cinema and Museumsnacht (museum night).

Getting there & parking

The museum is located directly behind the town hall on the market square and on the Berlin–Copenhagen long-distance cycle route.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Local history literature, postcards, maps and city information are available.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit