Kreisgalerie Mellrichstadt

About the museum

The Kreisgalerie shows the art collection of the Rhön-Grabfeld district in the Altes Spital (Old Hospital) of Mellrichstadt, a building that dates back to 1349. It was inaugurated in June 1993. The driving force was the then district administrator Fritz Steigerwald, who considerably expanded the district's collection in the 1990s.

The paintings and sculptures range from the Baroque to the present and concentrate on artists with a connection to the region – from Franconian Baroque painters such as Johann Joseph Kessler and Georg Anton Urlaub to artists of the 20th century.

A fire in spring 2023 caused considerable damage; for about two years the gallery and café remained closed while rooms were renovated and works restored. Since June 2025 the house has again regularly shown changing exhibitions of contemporary art from Franconia, Hesse and Thuringia on the first floor. The permanent exhibition of the collection remains closed for the time being.

The house includes a museum café with an idyllic inner courtyard garden, where readings and small concerts also take place, as well as a wedding hall on the second floor for civil wedding ceremonies.

Highlights

• Historic Altes Spital of 1349
• Changing exhibitions of regional contemporary art with free admission
• Museum café "Chrischa's Café" with inner courtyard garden
• Wedding hall for civil ceremonies

Founded

1993

Operated by

Landkreis Rhön-Grabfeld (Kulturagentur Rhön-Grabfeld)

Director

Dr. Astrid Hedrich-Scherpf

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission to the changing exhibition is free. For the currently closed permanent exhibition, the regular price is €2 (reduced €1.50).

Accessibility

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

Access to the Kreisgalerie is not accessible. Assistance dogs welcome.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available

Museum café "Chrischa's Café" with homemade cakes and tarts, with courtyard in good weather; same opening hours as the gallery (reservations tel. 09776 7213).

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 35 guests.

The museum café can be rented for smaller private celebrations (e.g., christenings, receptions after a wedding) for about 35 guests, with the garden in good weather; catering by the operator. Civil wedding ceremonies in the wedding hall on the second floor via the VG Mellrichstadt (municipal association).

Plan your visit