Keltenmuseum Hochdorf/Enz

About the museum

The museum traces back to one of the most important archaeological finds in Central Europe. From 1968 onward, a volunteer for the heritage authority repeatedly noticed stones turned up by the plow in a field near Hochdorf. Experts recognized them as the remains of a large burial mound that had long since been leveled, and the Landesdenkmalamt (state heritage office) under Jörg Biel excavated it completely in 1978/79. Unlike almost all comparable sites, the wooden burial chamber had never been robbed.

Around 540 BC, a man from the early Celtic elite had been buried here, probably from the circle of the princely seat on the Hohenasperg. His grave goods included a bronze couch resting on figures mounted on wheels, a large Greek bronze cauldron, a four-wheeled wagon, drinking horns, gold jewelry and gold-decorated shoes.

In 1987 the mound was rebuilt at the find site, about 60 meters in diameter and six meters high. On May 25, 1991, the municipality of Eberdingen opened the Keltenmuseum about 500 meters away. The building echoes the tomb: a metal arch traces the dimensions of the mound, and beneath it lies the faithfully replicated burial chamber with replicas of the grave goods; the original finds are in the Landesmuseum Württemberg in Stuttgart.

In addition, the museum shows finds from a neighboring Celtic settlement, including an early precision scale and imported Attic pottery. In the outdoor area stands a replica of a Celtic farmstead, where demonstrations and hands-on activities take place in summer. A modernization added a cinema room, digital offerings and hands-on stations for families.

Highlights

• Faithfully reconstructed burial chamber of the “Celtic prince” with bronze couch and wagon
• Reconstructed princely burial mound (60 m in diameter) at the original find site
• Replica of an early Celtic farmstead in the outdoor area
• Settlement finds such as one of the oldest precision scales north of the Alps
• Hands-on stations, explorer's handbook and VR app for families

Permanent exhibitions

• Die Grabkammer des Keltenfürsten – True-to-scale reconstruction of the underground wooden chamber with replicas of the rich grave goods from around 540 BC.
• Siedlung und Alltag der frühen Kelten – Finds from the neighboring settlement on crafts, trade and way of life, complemented by hands-on stations.
• Keltisches Gehöft – Replica farmstead in the outdoor area based on excavation findings, the setting for the summer program.

Founded

1991

Operated by

Gemeinde Eberdingen

Director

Prof. Dr. Thomas Knopf

Admission & discounts

Explorer's handbook €0.50 (included in family admission). Keltenwägele (handcart) for the outdoor area €3. Payment in cash or by EC card (German debit card).

Accessibility

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

Largely accessible: ramps connect the exhibition levels; only the “Siedlung” (settlement) area is one step higher. The museum education room is at ground level with a door threshold; the outdoor area can be reached via a slightly uneven gravel path.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Explorer's handbook with a puzzle trail (included in family admission, otherwise €0.50) and four hands-on stations (Celtic clothing, pottery puzzle, metal punching, grinding flour). Children's birthday parties with a children's tour and workshop, flashlight tours “Nachts im Museum” (Night at the Museum) in winter, and hands-on activities on Sundays in summer. “Keltenwägele” handcart for the outdoor area available to borrow (€3). Adventure playground in the Erlebnispark Hochdorf about a 10-minute walk away.

Getting there & parking

Route link and geocoordinates on the museum website; the Keltenweg (cycle path) runs past the museum.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop
• Wi-Fi

Museum shop with replicas of Celtic jewelry and specialist literature. No café of its own – there is a bakery café directly opposite. Dogs are not allowed, including in the outdoor area. Free Wi-Fi.

Events & venue rental

As far as we know, the museum does not rent out spaces for external events.

No venue rental offered; exclusive evening tours (10–25 people, from €15 per person) and children's birthday parties can be booked.

Plan your visit