Kleist-Museum

About the museum

In 1922 the city of Frankfurt (Oder) set up a memorial room for the poet in Heinrich von Kleist's birthplace, and a library room was added a year later. Both rooms were lost in a fire in April 1945, but most of the collection itself survived.

A new memorial opened in 1953, initially in the city library building. In 1968 it moved into the late Baroque former garrison school on the Oder, built in 1777, the year of Kleist's birth. In 1969 the building was inaugurated as the Kleist-Gedenk- und Forschungsstätte (Kleist memorial and research center) with the first conceptually designed permanent exhibition about the poet.

A renovation in 1999/2000 was followed from 2011 to 2013 by a modern extension, which significantly enlarged the exhibition and storage space and has housed the permanent exhibition “Rätsel. Kämpfe. Brüche.” since 2013. Since 2019 the museum has been a foundation of the state of Brandenburg with the participation of the federal government and the city; from 2020 to 2024 the old building was restored with federal and state funds. Anke Pätsch has headed the foundation since 2022.

With more than 100,000 objects in its collection and library, the museum holds the most comprehensive documentation on Kleist and his circle, including material on Ewald Christian von Kleist, Franz Alexander von Kleist, and Caroline and Friedrich de la Motte Fouqué. For the poet's 250th birthday in 2027, a completely new permanent exhibition is being created, scheduled to open at the end of May 2027.

Highlights

• The most comprehensive collection on Heinrich von Kleist, with over 100,000 objects in the collection and library
• Late Baroque garrison school from 1777 and 2013 extension right on the Oder
• Interactive permanent exhibition “Rätsel. Kämpfe. Brüche.” (until December 2026)
• New permanent exhibition for the 2027 Kleist anniversary
• Museum garden with sculptures and a view across the Oder to Słubice

Permanent exhibitions

• Rätsel. Kämpfe. Brüche. – The interactive permanent exhibition from 2013 explores Kleist's life, work and legacy and can be seen for the last time until mid-December 2026.
• Neue Dauerausstellung zum Kleist-Jubiläum – For the poet's 250th birthday, the Hamburg studio Sunder-Plassmann & Werner is designing a new, multilingual, low-barrier exhibition with a discovery trail for children.

Founded

1922

Operated by

Stiftung Kleist-Museum

Director

Anke Pätsch

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Every 3rd Sunday of the month (Museum Sunday) and on International Museum Day

Free admission also for members of the museum association.

Accessibility

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

The old and new buildings are reachable step-free via an elevator; except for one room and the garden, the exhibition rooms are accessible. One accessible restroom with emergency call on the first floor. Loaner wheelchair and lightweight chairs available. Two accessible parking spaces at the entrance, two more 140 m away. No tactile floor guidance system. Information in Easy Language on the website.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

Family workshops (e.g., crafts, sound workshop) with registration; the "Kleist-Koffer" (Kleist suitcase) with historical games, craft instructions, and children's books can be borrowed for use at home.

Getting there & parking

By car via the A 12, exit Frankfurt (Oder)-Mitte.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant: not available
• Lockers

Bags larger than A4, backpacks, and umbrellas must go in the lockers at the entrance. Museum garden with a view over the Oder.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 100 guests.

Historic salon (up to 20 people), event room in the old building with a grand piano (up to 45), event room in the new building with a small stage (up to 75), education room (up to 30) and museum garden; for conferences, training sessions, weddings and film screenings. Event technology on request, prices according to the fee schedule, discounts for public and nonprofit institutions.

Plan your visit