Henry van de Velde Museum
Museum in the Art Nouveau villa Esche, a total work of art by Henry van de Velde with original furnishings, a permanent exhibition and a tactile case.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The villa was designed in 1902 by the Belgian architect and designer Henry van de Velde for the Chemnitz textile entrepreneur Herbert Esche as a family residence. It was van de Velde's first architectural project in Germany. Around 1900 he was one of the most sought-after designers in Europe, and he wanted to bring function and aesthetics into harmony in every area of life. The villa and its park-like garden are today regarded as a total work of art of Jugendstil (Art Nouveau) and count among the architectural jewels of the city.
After a varied history of use, the house was restored at great expense between 1998 and 2001. Today it houses the Henry van de Velde Museum as a branch of the Kunstsammlungen Chemnitz. On the first floor, the dining room and music salon are shown with the original furniture of the Esche family. On the second floor, a permanent exhibition presents outstanding pieces from the holdings of the Kunstsammlungen and from private ownership.
Since 2022 the interactive app “Virtual van de Velde” invites visitors to explore the villa in a playful way. The former carriage house holds a restaurant, and the house also serves as a venue for conferences and events.
Highlights
- Dining room and music salon with the original furniture of the Esche family
- Permanent exhibition on the second floor
- Art Nouveau total work of art of villa and park-like garden
- Tactile case with a tour for people with visual impairments and for families
- App “Virtual van de Velde”
Permanent exhibitions
- Originalräume der Villa Esche – On the first floor, the dining room and music salon can be seen with the original furniture of the Esche family.
- Dauerausstellung im ersten Obergeschoss – Outstanding exhibits from the holdings of the Kunstsammlungen Chemnitz and from private ownership relating to the work of Henry van de Velde.
- Operated by
- Kunstsammlungen Chemnitz
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €6 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €4 |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Children and young people up to the age of 18 as well as school students have free admission. |
| Visitors with disabilities | –companion free · Caregivers of people with severe disabilities have free admission. |
| Students & apprentices | freeStudents of TU Chemnitz have free admission. |
| Groups | –Guided group tours for up to 24 people by registration; for every five children or young people in a kindergarten or school group, one accompanying adult is free. |
| Combination ticket for all museums of the Kunstsammlungen, incl. Burg Rabenstein | €28Concession €19. |
| Tactile case tour (approx. 2 hours, 2–5 people, admission included) | €28Concession €12 per person; companions with the “B” marker admitted free. |
Admission is also free for visitors on their birthday, holders of the Chemnitzpass and accompanying persons on booked guided tours. Further concessions, group rates and combination tickets are governed by the fee schedule of the Kunstsammlungen Chemnitz.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The exhibition is accessible to wheelchair users up to the third floor; access is via a wheelchair lift, and advance registration is recommended. Assistance dogs with a valid ID may enter the house. The tactile case offers a guided tactile tour with an accompanying booklet, floor plans, parquet patterns and a model of the skylight that can be assembled like a puzzle.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 17 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
The tactile case tour with role play and a read-aloud book is expressly open to families with children as well. Children and young people up to 18 years of age have free admission.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Haydnstraße · 7-min walk
From Chemnitz Hauptbahnhof take tram line 4 toward Hutholz to the Haydnstraße stop.
By car
Parking available
Parking at the Villa Esche, access via Richard-Wagner-Straße 55.
Amenities & dining
- Restaurant
Restaurant Villa Esche in the former carriage house.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
The Villa Esche serves as a conference venue and event location; tours of the entire villa are offered by C³ Chemnitzer Veranstaltungszentren GmbH.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Photography | Photography and filming for private, non-commercial purposes are permitted without flash, tripod or selfie stick, keeping at least 50 cm from the works. |
| Good to know | Group tours (maximum 24 people) can be booked at +49 371 488 4501 or info.kunstsammlungen@stadt-chemnitz.de. The app “Virtual van de Velde” lets you explore the villa digitally. |
