Landesmuseum Birkenfeld

About the museum

The Landesmuseum Birkenfeld belongs to the Verein für Heimatkunde im Landkreis Birkenfeld (local history association of the Birkenfeld district). The association was founded as early as 1843 as the Verein für Altertumskunde im Fürstentum Birkenfeld (Association for Antiquities in the Principality of Birkenfeld) and wanted to show its growing archaeological collection to the public. A museum building in the style of a Roman country villa was erected for this purpose and inaugurated on October 17, 1910, in the presence of Grand Duke Frederick Augustus of Oldenburg.

Because the holdings kept growing, the building was extended in 1954/55 and 1966/67. From 2005 to 2007 came a comprehensive renovation with a new connecting wing and foyer; since 2007, the Tourist Information of the Birkenfeld region has also been housed in the museum.

Today the museum shows permanent exhibitions on the Celts and Romans of the region, on Birkenfeld and the Wittelsbachs, on the period when Birkenfeld was a principality within the Grand Duchy of Oldenburg (1817 to 1937), on iron smelting, an old classroom from around 1930, and a collection of flatirons. Annually changing special exhibitions and action days complement the offer, and there are museum education programs for school classes.

Highlights

• Permanent exhibition "Kelten, Kunst und Kult erleben" with hands-on stations
• Birkenfeld and the Wittelsbachs
• Principality of Birkenfeld as part of the Grand Duchy of Oldenburg
• Old classroom from around 1930
• Collection of flatirons and how they changed over time

Permanent exhibitions

• Kelten, Kunst und Kult erleben – Aus Kelten werden Römer – The life of the Celts in the Birkenfeld region, in several theme stations with reconstructions, original finds and hands-on stations.
• Das Fürstentum Birkenfeld – ein Teil von Oldenburg 1817–1937 – The period when Birkenfeld was an exclave of the Grand Duchy of Oldenburg.
• Altes Klassenzimmer um 1930 – A reconstructed classroom from the early 20th century conveys the lessons and school life of that time.

Founded

1910

Operated by

Verein für Heimatkunde im Landkreis Birkenfeld e.V.

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Day of Open Monuments and individual action days

With the Gästekarte (guest card), adults pay €4 and families €8. Children under 6 and members of the Verein für Heimatkunde enter free. Subject to change.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• 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

Certified as "partially accessible" (Gastlandschaften Rheinland-Pfalz). A stairlift is available and trained staff assist; information on access options is available at the ticket desk.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Kids’ birthday parties

The museum sees itself as an experience museum with hands-on stations, especially in the Celts exhibition. Children's birthday parties on the theme of the Celts (for children aged 8 to 10): €80 for up to 10 children, including admission, guided tour, materials and a gift; each additional child €5. School programs: "Keltisches Leben" (from about age 4), "Altes Klassenzimmer" (from 3rd grade, about 90 minutes), "Fürstentum Birkenfeld" (from age 15, about 60 minutes).

Getting there & parking

From the south: B 41, take the Birkenfeld Mitte exit towards Bernkastel-Kues, at the third roundabout turn into Friedrich-August-Straße; the museum is on the right after about 300 m. From the north: at Morbach, take the B 269 from the B 327 towards Birkenfeld; the museum is about 1 km past the town entrance, on the left.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Sale of the association's publications and secondhand books; tourist information in the building. Coffee and cake outdoors at special events.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit