Kurpfälzisches Museum Heidelberg

Current exhibitions

About the museum

The museum is founded on the collection of the French émigré Charles de Graimberg, who in the 19th century worked to preserve Heidelberg Castle and gathered art and antiquities relating to the history of the Electoral Palatinate. The city of Heidelberg acquired this collection in 1878/79.

In 1908 the municipal collection of art and antiquities moved into the baroque Palais Morass on Hauptstraße, where it opened as a museum. The museum grew over the following decades: a former fencing hall was added in 1936, and a modern extension in the 1980s.

Today the collection spans from prehistory and early history to the present. The archaeology department, covering some 1,500 square meters, displays among other things a cast of the Mauer mandible, the find that gave Homo heidelbergensis its name, as well as Roman finds from the region. The painting gallery contains works from the 15th to the 20th century, including Heidelberg Romanticism and Hyacinthe Rigaud's portrait of Liselotte von der Pfalz; an outstanding piece is Tilman Riemenschneider's Altar of the Twelve Apostles. The museum also includes the Textilsammlung Max Berk (textile collection) in Ziegelhausen. Frieder Hepp has directed the museum since 2002; his successor is due to take over on March 1, 2027.

Highlights

• Altar of the Twelve Apostles by Tilman Riemenschneider
• Cast of the Mauer mandible (Homo heidelbergensis)
• Portrait of Liselotte von der Pfalz by Hyacinthe Rigaud
• Paintings of Heidelberg Romanticism
• Roman finds from Heidelberg and the region
• Baroque Palais Morass with museum garden

Permanent exhibitions

• Zeit für schöne Dinge. Schätze der Kunst, Geschichte und Archäologie – A tour of the collection's highlights, from prehistory to contemporary art.

Founded

1878

Operated by

Stadt Heidelberg

Director

Frieder Hepp

Admission & discounts

Permanent exhibition incl. audio guide: Tue–Sat €3 (reduced €1.80), on Sundays and public holidays €1.80 (reduced €1.20). Free with the Museums-PASS-Musées and HeidelbergCARD, and for ICOM/IGBK members, the friends' association and the press.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• 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

Most exhibition areas are step-free or reachable by elevator; the basement and upper floor of the Palais Morass can only be reached by stairs. Contacting the museum in advance is recommended (06221 58-34000).

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

Free admission up to age 16. Stone safari with a map and flashlight in the lapidarium, an interactive archaeology station and a five-part children's podcast, "Karlchen". Museum workshop "Malstube" with courses for ages 4 and up through teenagers, holiday programs via the city's Ferienpass (holiday pass); child-friendly dates are marked in the calendar.

Getting there & parking

Bicycles can be parked in the inner courtyard in front of the entrance.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop

Café area in the foyer with museum shop (including replicas of Heidelberg terracottas); the restaurant "Garibaldi" in the museum garden is currently closed. Bike racks in the courtyard.

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit