Lindenau-Museum

Current exhibitions

About the museum

The Saxon statesman and scholar Bernhard August von Lindenau (1779–1854) assembled a collection intended to educate a broad public. In 1848 he made it accessible to the public in a building of its own at the Pohlhof in Altenburg and combined it with an art school. After his death, the Duchy of Saxe-Altenburg, in accordance with his bequest, had a stately new building erected by the palace park: the museum building on Gabelentzstraße, designed by Julius Robert Enger, opened in 1876.

The core of the collection is some 180 early Italian panel paintings from the 13th to the 16th century, mainly from Siena and Florence – one of the most important collections of its kind outside Italy. It also includes ancient ceramics, a large collection of casts of ancient sculptures, and paintings and graphic art from the 19th to the 21st century, including the world's largest holdings of works by Gerhard Altenbourg.

Lindenau's educational idea lives on in the Studio Bildende Kunst, founded in 1971, where artists teach children, teens and adults. Since October 2020 the museum, together with the Residenzschloss (residence palace), has formed the Kommunale Arbeitsgemeinschaft Altenburger Museen (Altenburg Museums Municipal Association).

Since January 2020 the main building has been undergoing extensive renovation and expansion with federal and state funding. Since summer 2020, part of the collection and the art school have been housed in the interim venue Kunstgasse 1 in the old town, while special exhibitions take place in the Prinzenpalais of the Residenzschloss.

Highlights

• Around 180 early Italian panel paintings, including works from Siena and Florence
• Ancient vases and ceramics from Lindenau's collection
• The world's largest collection of works by Gerhard Altenbourg
• Studio Bildende Kunst – art school in the museum since 1971
• Lindenau-Förderpreis (Lindenau Prize) for young art

Permanent exhibitions

• Sammlungspräsentation im Interim Kunstgasse 1 – A compact selection from the holdings, including early Italian panel paintings, while the main building is being renovated.

Founded

1848

Operated by

Kommunale Arbeitsgemeinschaft Altenburger Museen

Director

Dr. Roland Krischke (Direktor der Altenburger Museen)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission at the interim venue Kunstgasse 1. The special exhibitions in the Prinzenpalais charge admission; special prices apply during major events at the palace.

Accessibility

• 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

The interim venue Kunstgasse 1 is accessible. The Prinzenpalais (special exhibitions on the upper floor) is not accessible.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Open family workshops, courses, and holiday programs at the Studio Bildende Kunst.

Getting there & parking

Special exhibitions at the Prinzenpalais of the Residenzschloss: city bus I, L, S, or W to the Theater stop, then about a 4-minute walk; parking at Heinrich-Gottfried-Trost-Weg (about 3 min.), Marstall (about 6 min.), Poliklinik and Theater (about 10 min. each), all paid except for guests with disabilities at the Marstall.

Amenities & dining

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

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit