Jahrtausendturm

Current exhibitions

About the museum

The tower was built as the landmark of the 1999 Bundesgartenschau (Federal Garden Show) in Magdeburg. It was designed by Zurich architect Johannes Peter Staub; the inspiration was a much smaller exhibition tower in Switzerland, which the Magdeburg planners deliberately set out to surpass. The building opened on April 23, 1999, and around 1.5 million people visited in the garden show year alone.

The conical building is 60 meters tall and, according to the operator, the largest timber structure of its kind. Around 5,500 cubic meters of wood support the structure of radially arranged glued-laminated timber beams, wrapped in a translucent membrane skin. Stairs or a ramp about 430 meters long that spirals around the outside lead to the viewing level at a height of 42 meters.

Inside, an exhibition on several levels takes visitors chronologically through some 6,000 years of the history of science and technology: from the early civilizations through medieval Arab and Persian inventions, the Renaissance and classical natural sciences to electricity, astronomy and current research at Magdeburg's university. Most of the roughly 250 exhibits invite visitors to touch and try them out.

The tower is part of the Elbauenpark and can only be visited with the park's day ticket. It is operated by the Messe- und Veranstaltungsgesellschaft Magdeburg on behalf of Natur- und Kulturpark Elbaue GmbH; in the 2026 season, a dinosaur exhibition in the park and in the tower adds to the program.

Highlights

• Foucault pendulum demonstrating the Earth's rotation
• Viewing level at 42 m above the Elbe floodplain
• Experiments on Otto von Guericke's vacuum experiments
• Egyptian Nile boat and reconstructed Roman house
• Ames room with astonishing optical illusions
• Spectacular timber structure from the 1999 BUGA garden show

Permanent exhibitions

• 6.000 Jahre Wissenschafts- und Technikgeschichte – Hands-on exhibition on several levels of the tower, leading chronologically from the early civilizations to present-day research – with some 250 exhibits to try out.

Founded

1999

Operated by

Messe- und Veranstaltungsgesellschaft Magdeburg GmbH (im Auftrag der Natur- und Kulturpark Elbaue GmbH)

Admission & discounts

The tower has no ticket of its own: admission is included in the Elbauenpark day ticket (including the butterfly house, the Elbauen-EXPRESS and the dinosaur exhibition). Prices for the season April 1 – October 31, 2026; 10% cheaper online. The Grünticket (€6, reduced €4) is valid only for the outdoor areas, not for the tower. The summer toboggan run, climbing park and zip line cost extra.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Only level 0 (Kuppelsaal, the domed hall) is accessible for wheelchairs and strollers; the upper levels can be reached only by stairs, and for safety reasons wheelchairs and strollers are not allowed on the outdoor ramp. Free loaner wheelchairs at both park ticket offices. Exhibits may be touched; a braille book can be borrowed at the info counter. Accessible parking spaces in the parking lots south of the park.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly: not available

Hands-on exhibition where touching is expressly encouraged (e.g., water wheel, mirror writing, optical illusions); dinosaur exhibition with activities for little explorers. Tours for children's and school groups. With a stroller, only level 0 (Kuppelsaal) is accessible, with limitations; the outdoor ramp is not. Children up to and including age 6 free, family tickets available.

Getting there & parking

By car, follow the signs "Elbauenpark/Messe Magdeburg"; bridge clearance height on the B1 max. 4 m.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant

Restaurant "Zauberküche & Family" on the lowest level of the tower (Tue–Sun 11:00–18:00); in the park there are also Café Am Rosengarten, Bistro Seebühne, and Café & Bistro Am Staudental.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 500 guests.

Kuppelsaal and foyer available for conferences, congresses, presentations and company anniversaries, bookable from April to October; the exhibition can be included. Rentals through MVGM (vermietung@mvgm.de).

Plan your visit