Kunstmuseum Walter

About the museum

The Glaspalast was built in 1909/10 as Works IV "Aumühle" of the Mechanische Baumwollspinnerei und Weberei Augsburg (SWA) cotton mill, designed by the Stuttgart industrial architect Philipp Jakob Manz. The reinforced-concrete frame building with huge window surfaces was conceived as a daylight factory to illuminate deep halls; at times, several thousand people worked here. After SWA went bankrupt in 1988, the city bought the vacant building.

In 1999, Augsburg building contractor Ignaz Walter (1936–2023) acquired the dilapidated landmark, had it restored and in 2002 opened a museum for his private art collection on the second and third floors. The museum receives no public subsidies; since the founder's death, his son Roy Walter has continued to run it. The same building also houses the municipal H2 – Zentrum für Gegenwartskunst and the Galerie Noah, among others.

Walter began collecting in the early 1970s; according to the museum, the collection today comprises more than 1,600 works. One focus is West German postwar art, with names such as Baselitz, Lüpertz, Penck, Polke, Immendorff, Kiefer and Gerhard Richter, a second the Leipzig School, so that art from East and West is juxtaposed. These are complemented by international positions, a cabinet of classical modernist works and 118 glass objects by the Venetian artist Egidio Costantini.

Highlights

• Works by Georg Baselitz, Markus Lüpertz, A. R. Penck and Sigmar Polke
• 16 works by Anselm Kiefer
• Leipzig School painting in dialogue with West German art
• Cabinet of classical modernism
• 118 unique glass pieces by Egidio Costantini
• Light-flooded halls in the listed 1910 Glaspalast

Permanent exhibitions

• Sammlung Walter – On two floors, West German postwar art, the Leipzig School, international art and a cabinet of classical modernism are on view; the presentation is continually revised.

Founded

2002

Operated by

Privatmuseum der Familie Walter

Director

Dr. Roy Walter

Admission & discounts

The annual pass of the Kunstsammlungen & Museen Augsburg is also valid at the Kunstmuseum Walter. Guided tours for adults of 60 or 90 minutes for €70 or €90 respectively, plus €1 admission per person.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• 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

The museum is on the second and third floors of the Glaspalast; the website gives no information on accessibility.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Kids’ birthday parties

Tours, museum education courses with a studio component (2–3 hrs), and children's birthday parties for children aged 5 and up by registration. Children up to age 6 free, family ticket available.

Getting there & parking

By car via the A8, exit Augsburg-Ost, then follow the signs.

Amenities & dining

The Glaspalast houses the Ristorante La Tavernetta (Italian cuisine).

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit