Karl-May-Museum Radebeul

About the museum

After Karl May's death in 1912, his widow Klara May founded the Karl-May-Stiftung (foundation) and the Karl-May-Verlag publishing house in 1913. In 1926 she acquired the ethnographic collection of the Viennese performer Ernst Tobis, known as Patty Frank, and had a log cabin built on the North American model in the garden of Villa Shatterhand. It opened as "Villa Bärenfett" on December 1, 1928, with an exhibition on the Indigenous cultures of North America; Patty Frank lived there himself and guided visitors.

After Klara May's death in 1944, the foundation lost its independence. In East Germany, Karl May was considered a problematic author, which is why from 1956 the museum operated as an "Indianer-Museum" (Indian museum) and the writer himself was largely left out.

Only in 1984 did the museum regain its original name, and in 1985 Villa Shatterhand reopened to visitors as well. With the repurchase of items from May's estate from Bamberg in 1995, the exhibition on his life and work grew considerably. In 2023 a gallery for contemporary Indigenous art was added in the log cabin "Villa Nscho-tschi".

For the 100th anniversary of Villa Bärenfett, its exhibition area was redesigned in 2026. At the same time, an extension with a new entrance and a special exhibition space is being built on Meißner Straße, with completion planned for 2027. The museum is operated by a nonprofit company (gGmbH) of the Karl-May-Stiftung.

Highlights

• Karl May's study and library in Villa Shatterhand
• Legendary rifles such as the Silberbüchse (Silver Rifle), Bärentöter (Bear Killer) and Henrystutzen (Henry carbine)
• Paintings by the Art Nouveau artist Sascha Schneider
• Ethnographic collection on the Indigenous cultures of North America in the Villa Bärenfett log cabin
• Turtle Island Gallery with contemporary Indigenous art
• Free audio guide in 12 languages on your own smartphone

Permanent exhibitions

• Karl May – Leben & Werk – In Villa Shatterhand, the study, library, paintings and the famous rifles from the novels offer insight into the writer's biography and self-staging.
• Indianer Nordamerikas – The Villa Bärenfett log cabin shows clothing, crafts, life-size figures and dioramas on the Indigenous cultures of North America from the 18th to the 20th century; the area was redesigned in 2026.
• Turtle Island Gallery – Gallery in Villa Nscho-tschi with paintings, photographs and sculptures by contemporary Indigenous artists from North America, in rotating displays.

Founded

1928

Operated by

Karl-May-Museum gGmbH (Karl-May-Stiftung)

Director

Robin Leipold (wissenschaftlicher Direktor)

Admission & discounts

Radebeul residents get 50% off with the Radebeul-Pass; various discount cards give 10% or €1 off.

Accessibility

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

Step-free ticket desk, Villa Bärenfett accessible via a ramp, Villa Nscho-tschi at ground level; Villa Shatterhand is currently not wheelchair-accessible (conversion planned). Accessible restroom in Villa Bärenfett, accessible parking space in front of the entrance. No tactile guidance system; tours with touch objects for blind and visually impaired visitors (90 min., €50 plus admission). Partner of "Sachsen barrierefrei".

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Playground / play area
• Kids’ birthday parties

Family tour "On the Trail of the Indians" ("Auf den Spuren der Indianer") for children from age 6 (approx. 90 min., one Sunday a month, additionally Tue and Thu during Saxon school holidays). Family puzzle for the exhibition, gold panning in summer, adventure playground with a tracking station. Children's birthday parties from age 6 (1.5 hrs).

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Wi-Fi

Museum shop in the Villa Shatterhand (books, jewelry by Indigenous artists, souvenirs), online shop "Trading Post." Free Wi-Fi for the audio guide.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 70 guests.

Karl-May-Tipi (up to 40 people) and Villa Nscho-tschi (up to 30 people), up to 70 people combined; usable year-round, technical equipment on request. Catering through a partner (from 20 people), supporting programs such as gold panning or an appearance by "Old Shatterhand".

Plan your visit