Industriemuseum Chemnitz

Current exhibitions

About the museum

Plans for a museum of trade and industry existed in Chemnitz as early as the 19th century, but they were only realized after German reunification. A friends' association was founded in 1990, and on August 28, 1991, the city council decided to establish the museum. Today it is the Chemnitz site of the Zweckverband Sächsisches Industriemuseum (Saxon Industrial Museum association), which also includes the Tuchfabrik Crimmitschau, the Zinngrube Ehrenfriedersdorf, and the Energiefabrik Knappenrode.

From 1999 onward, a foundry complex on Zwickauer Straße, whose halls had been built for the Escher company in the early 20th century, was converted. The museum opened at its new location on April 12, 2003. The ensemble includes a late-19th-century engine house with a horizontal single-cylinder steam engine, built in 1896 by the Chemnitz engineering works Maschinenfabrik Germania, which is regularly demonstrated in operation.

After a closure of almost a year, a completely redesigned permanent exhibition opened in June 2015. Rather than following a strict chronology, it organizes Saxon industrial history by themes such as mining, the textile industry, mechanical engineering and vehicle manufacturing, and the social consequences of industrialization. A silver band links outstanding Saxon inventions and products, and many historic textile machines and machine tools are in working order. Changing special and small-scale exhibitions complement the program.

Highlights

• Steam engine by Maschinenfabrik Germania from 1896 in the engine house (demonstrations)
• Working textile machines from the late 19th century
• "Silbernes Band" (silver band) of Saxon inventions, from the coffee filter to Malimo fabrics
• Car body welding line with industrial robots
• Historic foundry and machine halls

Permanent exhibitions

• Industrie im Wandel erleben – Themed tour through 220 years of Saxon industrial history, from mining and textiles to mechanical engineering, car manufacturing, and the social consequences, with many working machines.
• Maschinenhaus mit Dampfmaschine – The foundry's restored engine house is home to a steam engine of about 200 horsepower from 1896, which is regularly shown in motion.

Founded

1991

Operated by

Zweckverband Sächsisches Industriemuseum

Admission & discounts

Admission covers the permanent and special exhibitions. Free admission also with an ICOM card or official service ID and for members of museum associations and professional associations. Private steam engine demonstration outside the scheduled times €350.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Ramps at the entrance and to several exhibition areas, wheelchair platform lift and elevator in the exhibition hall, wheelchair-accessible restroom, designated accessible parking space. According to the museum, the building is not fully accessible. Cotton gloves for touching exhibits can be borrowed at the ticket desk; guided tours and project days for people with special needs can be booked individually (advance arrangement recommended).

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Certified as a family-friendly leisure facility. Accompanying booklet "Auf Entdeckertour mit Meister Malimo" for children at the ticket desk, hands-on stations in the exhibition, children's tours during school breaks, a club activity group, and children's birthday parties (recommended from age 6).

Getting there & parking

By car via the A 4 (exit Chemnitz-Mitte), the A 72 (exit Chemnitz-Süd), or the B 173 toward the center/Zwickauer Straße.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Museum café "Suppenmaxe" (Tue–Sat 12:00–15:30). Museum shop.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 1,000 guests.

Permanent exhibition (up to 800 people standing; events only after opening hours), special exhibition hall (up to 450 in rows), Rasmussen Hall, seminar room, outdoor grounds (up to 1,000 guests), and forecourt. Guided tours and machine demonstrations can be booked.

Plan your visit