Kunstgussmuseum Lauchhammer

Current exhibitions

About the museum

In 1725, Benedicta Margaretha von Löwendal had the first blast furnace fired up at the Lauchteiche ponds, laying the foundation for the region's industry. Under her godson Detlev Graf von Einsiedel, the works turned to artistic casting: in 1784, the first figurative hollow iron casting based on an ancient model was produced here. Bronze casting, monuments, architectural cast elements and bells followed later; the art foundry is still in operation today.

The museum grew out of a regional initiative in the early 1990s and opened in 1993, initially in a listed former dormitory for apprentices and journeymen dating from 1898. A foundation took over its management. In 2008, the museum moved into the neighboring former vocational school of 1890, now known as the "Schaudepot Bronzeschule".

The heart of the collection is the foundry's heritage-listed stock of models, with around 2,800 plaster and metal models from the late 18th to the 21st century: copies of antiquities, portrait busts, statuettes, reliefs, medals and plaques, as well as models for stove plates and tomb monuments. Instead of being kept in storage, the models stand openly on shelves in the bright former classrooms. Castings in iron and bronze round out the collection.

Alongside temporary exhibitions, the museum offers guided tours of the still-active art foundry, occasional casting demonstrations and educational programs such as the project "Schüler führen Schüler" (students guide students).

Highlights

• Open storage display with around 2,800 historic casting models
• Copies of antiquities from the early days of iron art casting around 1800
• Portrait busts, statuettes, medals and plaques
• Guided tours of the active art foundry next door
• Casting demonstrations and bell-casting dates

Permanent exhibitions

• Schaudepot historischer Gussmodelle – The Lauchhammer foundry's model collection stands openly on shelves in the former classrooms, showcasing more than two centuries of sculpture made for casting.

Founded

1993

Operated by

Stiftung Kunstgussmuseum Lauchhammer

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

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

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Holiday programs with creative workshops (e.g., casting soap, nature reliefs, enamel jewelry) by registration; the museum holds the "Familienfreundlich" (family-friendly) seal.

Getting there & parking

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

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop with publications.

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit