Hellweg-Museum

About the museum

The Hellweg-Museum has its roots in the local history museum built up by the museum association founded in 1928. The collection was initially broad: middle-class and rural living, customs, geology, and finds from prehistory and early history. After 1945 the exhibition rooms were redesigned and the collection was focused on the history of the city of Unna. Since 1982 the city history museum has been presented in several departments.

It is housed in the listed former Stadtburg (city castle) on the city wall in the old town, whose tower is more than 600 years old. The City of Unna is the sponsor, supported by the Förderverein (friends' association) founded in 1996.

Its best-known piece is the Unna gold treasure. Construction workers discovered it in the old town in 1952. At least 255 gold coins from around 1378/79 are considered the most valuable medieval coin find in Westphalia, and 230 of them are on display. Further departments cover the Hellweg as a trade route, salt production at the Königsborn saline and the Kurbad (spa), middle-class and rural domestic culture, and, since May 2023, Jewish life using the example of the Brandenstein family.

Highlights

• Unna gold treasure with 230 coins on display
• History of the Königsborn saltworks and the spa (currently not accessible)
• The Hellweg as a historic trade route
• Department "Traces of Jewish Life"
• Historic city castle on the city wall

Permanent exhibition

• Dauerausstellung zur Stadtgeschichte – The centerpiece is the Unna gold treasure with around 230 gold coins from a hoard buried around 1378/79. Further departments tell of traces of Jewish life, using the example of the Brandenstein family, who ran a textile shop in Unna from 1913 to 1938, and, with models and original objects, of salt production at the Königsborn saltworks and of the spa (currently not accessible).

Founded

1928

Operated by

Stadt Unna

Director

Dr. Jonas Stephan

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• 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 first floor with the gold treasure section (largely) and the special exhibition room are barrier-free.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Kids’ birthday parties

Children's birthday parties for children aged 6 to 10 (Wed–Sun, 15:00–16:30, up to 10 children, €95 including materials) with themes such as a knights' festival, treasure hunt, museum detectives or magic. Two rallies through the gold treasure exhibition, for children from age 5 and from age 8 respectively (€0.50 at the museum shop). Workshops for children and adults on the special exhibitions.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the old town, directly on the city wall.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop with the museum's publications and the Unna donkey (Unnaer Esel) as a plush toy.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit