Hinterlandmuseum Schloss Biedenkopf

About the museum

The museum in Biedenkopf Castle goes back to the historical society for the Biedenkopf district, which set up a museum of antiquities in the first-floor rooms in 1908. Its core was the private collection of master chimney sweep and antiques dealer Carl Pfeil, who also became its first curator. From early on, the focus was on the traditional costumes of the Hinterland region, which made the museum known well beyond the area; for a time it was called a costume museum or local history museum.

The castle itself towers about 100 meters above the old town. The keep dates from the 12th century; the palas (main residential hall), where the museum is located today, was built from 1455 onward and later served for a long time as a granary. In 1988 the complex had to close because the roof structure was in danger of collapsing. The district of Marburg-Biedenkopf, as owner, restored the building; in the meantime, the collection was moved out, restored and inventoried.

In April 1993 the redesigned Hinterlandmuseum reopened, today covering about 1,000 square meters across all floors of the palas. Since 2015, the entrance area, the first floor, a room on labor and industrial culture and the Grenzgang room have been redesigned; the museum is an anchor point of the district's Route of Labor and Industrial Culture. Two to three special exhibitions are added each year.

Highlights

• 14 life-size figures in traditional Hinterland costumes
• Grenzgang room on Biedenkopf's traditional folk festival
• Stocking frame from around 1800
• Mail coach converted into a “wheeled sleigh” and a Baroque hand-operated fire pump
• Climb up the keep with panoramic views (included in admission)
• Flashlight tours in the fall

Permanent exhibitions

• Hinterländer Trachten – Life-size figures show the variety of regional costumes alongside domestic life and everyday culture.
• Grenzgangsraum – Biedenkopf's folk festival, celebrated every seven years, and the importance of the forest for the region.
• Handwerk und Industrie im Hinterland – Textile and building crafts, ironworks such as the Ludwigshütte, postal services and travel, and fire protection.

Founded

1908

Operated by

Landkreis Marburg-Biedenkopf

Director

Dr. Andreas W. Vetter

Admission & discounts

The climb up the wall and keep is included in museum admission. Free for holders of the Ehrenamtskarte Hessen (Hessian volunteer card), members of the Schloßverein, and members of the Museumsbund and ICOM.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Kids’ birthday parties

Two-hour programs for kindergarten and elementary school children (ages 5–10) with a tour and a craft activity, e.g. on life in a medieval castle; children's birthday parties with a treasure hunt; flashlight tours in the fall; activity days with crafts.

Getting there & parking

By car via the B 62 or B 253; on foot from the market square up through the upper town to the castle.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant: not available

The Schlossterrasse restaurant-café is currently not operating; in the summer months a beer garden run by local associations opens on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Weddings / ceremonies

Civil weddings in the castle through the Biedenkopf registry office (April 1 – November 15 on Friday mornings, otherwise by arrangement; additional room fee).

Plan your visit