Kur- und Stadtmuseum Bad Ems

About the museum

As early as the mid-19th century, a private antiquities collection existed in the Weltbad Ems. In 1906 an archive and antiquities association was founded, which rented rooms in the spa quarter and displayed the collection there. In 1912 the museum moved into the former Höhere Mädchenschule (girls' secondary school) at Römerstraße 53. World War I and the French occupation brought operations to a standstill; in 1934 it was briefly revived in a new annex to the town hall, on the ground floor of today's building.

After World War II, the local history collection was housed in various rooms of the town hall and returned to the spacious annex only in 1976. Since 1990 the exhibition space has been significantly enlarged. The sponsor is the city of Bad Ems; the Verein für Geschichte, Denkmal- und Landschaftspflege (association for history, monument and landscape care), successor to the 1906 association, still supports the house as a friends' association.

The museum tells the story of the spa and tourism in Bad Ems and the lower Lahn valley, from the medieval bathhouses through the age of princes, tsars and composers to the World Heritage era. A second focus is the pre- and early-historic department "Leben am Limes" (Life on the Limes), with finds from the Rhine-Lahn area, designed together with the state archaeology office.

Highlights

• Spa history of the former World Spa over seven centuries
• Department "Leben am Limes" with amphorae, terra sigillata and the underfloor heating of the fort bath
• Audio guide with quotes from historic spa guests such as Offenbach and Dostoevsky
• Historic roulette wheel from the former gaming house

Permanent exhibitions

• Sieben Jahrhunderte Wellness – Geschichte der Kur – The exhibition shows how Bad Ems developed into a World Spa from the 14th century on and recalls prominent guests, from the Tsar's court to Emperor Wilhelm I.
• Leben am Limes – Original finds from the Kastell Niederberg to Holzhausen, together with reconstructions, offer insight into Roman daily life along the Limes.

Founded

1906

Operated by

Stadt Bad Ems

Director

Julia Palotas

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Accessibility

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Kids & families

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Getting there & parking

Address for navigation: Römerstraße 97, 56130 Bad Ems.

Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

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