Hessisches Forstmuseum Alte Fasanerie
Forestry museum in the Alte Fasanerie wildlife park in Hanau, with forest history, former forest trades and hands-on stations for children.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Hessisches Forstmuseum (Hessian Forestry Museum) is located in the wildlife park “Alte Fasanerie” in the Hanau district of Klein-Auheim. The site goes back to a pheasantry that the Archbishops of Mainz had laid out at the beginning of the 18th century; the former hunting lodge now serves as a restaurant. Later, the Grand Dukes of Hesse-Darmstadt used the area as a court hunting ground, and in 1967 the state of Hesse opened it as a wildlife park. Today the Hanau-Wolfgang Forestry Office runs the park.
Since 2001 there has been a museum building on the site, a newly built, environmentally friendly low-energy timber house. The exhibition looks at the history of forest use and forest work, presents former forest trades such as charcoal burners, timber rafters, glassmakers and potash boilers, and shows historical tools and modern forestry machines.
One part is designed as a hands-on museum, with touch boxes, bark samples for identifying trees and a scent corner with forest smells. The museum also offers guided tours and experiential education events on forests and forest history; a support association backs the work.
Highlights
- Hands-on museum with touch boxes and a scent corner
- Historical forest trades such as charcoal burners, timber rafters and glassmakers
- Forest work from sowing to harvest
- Location in the wildlife park with about 350 animals
- Adventure forest and rallies for children
Permanent exhibition
- Hessisches Forstmuseum – Forest history, forest work from sowing to harvest and former forest trades, plus a hands-on museum with touch boxes, bark samples and forest scents.
- Founded
- 2001
- Operated by
- HessenForst (Forstamt Hanau-Wolfgang)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €8 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €5Pupils, trainees, students, volunteer service participants, people with a degree of disability (GdB) of 50 or more, holders of the Hanau or Frankfurt pass, and holders of the Ehrenamts- und Jugendleitercard |
| Children & teens | €4free up to age 2 · Children and young people from 3 to 17 years of age; up to and including 2 years free |
| Seniors | €6On presentation of ID |
| Visitors with disabilities | €5companion free · Concession from GdB 50; severely disabled children up to 17 years and accompanying persons with the “B” marker free |
| Students & apprentices | €5On presentation of ID |
| Groups (15+ people) | €6 per personLeisure groups of 15 or more people, price per person and day; children and concession holders €3.50 |
| Families | €22Parents or grandparents with their own children or grandchildren up to 17 years; with the Familienkarte Hessen €20 |
| Familienkarte Hessen (day ticket) | €20 |
| School classes and kindergarten groups (Mon–Fri mornings), per child | €3.50 |
| Annual pass for adults and seniors | €50Valid for the wildlife park, not for special events |
| Annual pass for adults, concession | €40 |
| Annual pass for families | €100 |
| Annual pass for single parents with children up to 17 years | €70 |
The admission prices apply to the wildlife park in which the forestry museum is located. Members of the support associations of the wildlife park and the forestry museum have free admission. Payment at the cash desk is possible by EC card; debit and credit cards are currently not accepted.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Level park grounds with wide, firm natural paths; wheelchair use is possible at all times. Accessible toilets at both entrances, parking close to both entrances. Dogs are not allowed; assistance dogs are admitted after registration at the cash desk.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 2 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | €22 · Parents or grandparents with their own children or grandchildren up to 17 years; with the Familienkarte Hessen €20 |
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Hands-on stations
- Playground / play area
- Kids’ birthday parties
Parts of the museum are designed to be touched, and children explore the forest at interactive learning stations. The wildlife park has an adventure forest to play in, rallies and explorer tours, as well as children's birthday parties.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Friedhof Klein-Auheim (Bus 4) · 30-min walk
From Hanau main station take lines 1, 2, 7 or 566 to Freiheitsplatz, then bus 4 to Friedhof Klein-Auheim; from Hanau/Klein-Auheim station it is about a 40-minute walk.
By car
Free parking
Free parking at both entrances; the signs show which entrances are open.
- Accessible parking
By car via the A3, exit Hanau, or via the A66 and the B43a to the exit Wildpark/Hanau-Klein-Auheim, following the signs in each case. An on-demand shuttle of the Hanauer Straßenbahn runs on request from Klein-Auheim and Großauheim to the wildlife park.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Restaurant
- Museum shop
Restaurant Jagdhaus with beer garden (Italian cuisine) near entrance 1; additional snack stands in good weather. At the cash desk there is animal feed and gift items.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided tours and events are booked via a booking form or by telephone at the cash desk (06181 61833010). |
