Langobardenwerkstatt Zethlingen

About the museum

On the Mühlenberg near Zethlingen lies an extensive Germanic cremation cemetery that has been known since the 1820s at the latest. Johann Friedrich Danneil already dug here and at first took the urns to be Slavic; around 1900 the interpretation as a Germanic cemetery prevailed, and later it was linked to the Lombards. Burials took place mainly from the late 2nd to the early 4th century, occasionally into the Migration Period.

Gravel extraction and farming destroyed large parts of the cemetery. The University of Halle excavated from 1958 to 1962, and from 1976 campaigns followed by the Altmärkisches Museum Stendal, the Danneil-Museum and the state office in Halle. In total, almost 2,000 graves were documented; at the foot of the hill, traces of iron smelting were also found.

At Pentecost 1990, the first museum education events took place on the Mühlenberg, and since 1991 the Langobardenwerkstatt has existed on its present site. As a branch of the Danneil-Museum in Salzwedel, it is the archaeo-educational center of the museums of the Altmarkkreis Salzwedel district. Reconstructed pit houses, a raised granary, workshop shelters, a garden with old useful and dye plants and a cult site convey life about 2,000 years ago; a small exhibition shows the excavation findings.

Highlights

• Reconstructed Germanic settlement with pit houses and a raised granary
• Site with almost 2,000 documented cremation graves
• Hands-on activities expressly welcome: pottery, tablet weaving, felting, carving
• Archery and stone putting at the "Lombard Triathlon"
• Garden with historic dye plants and grain varieties

Permanent exhibitions

• Germanische Siedlung und Gräberfeld vom Mühlenberg – Reconstructed houses, workshops and a small exhibition of finds show the daily life, crafts and burial customs of the Germanic peoples in the Altmark during the Roman Imperial period.

Operated by

Altmarkkreis Salzwedel (Außenstelle des Johann-Friedrich-Danneil-Museums)

Admission & discounts

Tours and projects €3 per person in addition to admission (minimum €30), holiday workshop €3 per person. Different prices may apply at special events.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• 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

Reconstructed settlement with partly uneven paths as well as low doors and ceilings. Parking for visitors with reduced mobility directly at the workshop site.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Touching is expressly allowed here. Children's birthday parties for up to 10 children (90 minutes, flat fee €50) with an age-appropriate tour, crafts, archery and digging; holiday workshops are also available.

Getting there & parking

Entering "Langobardenwerkstatt" in your navigation system leads to the parking lot at the Mühlenberg. Zethlingen is near Kalbe (Milde), about 20 km from Salzwedel.

Amenities & dining

Picnicking on the grounds is possible; food and drinks for groups by arrangement. Please take your trash with you.

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit