Luftmuseum

About the museum

The Luftmuseum (Air Museum) in Amberg was founded in early 2006 on the initiative of the artist Wilhelm Koch, who still directs it today. It is run by the non-profit association Luftmuseum e. V.; the museum is financed mainly through admission fees, membership dues, donations and the help of volunteer "Lufthelfer" (air helpers), and the city of Amberg supports it. With the museum, Amberg sees itself as a "Luftkunstort" (air art place).

The museum uses the so-called Engelsburg, a Gothic building from the 14th century directly on the Vils that once belonged to the electoral residence. From 1991 to 2005 the Archäologisches Museum der Oberpfalz was housed here. About 650 square meters of exhibition space are available on three floors.

The focus is on air as a material and phenomenon in art, architecture, design and technology. The centerpiece of the permanent show is the air experience trail "airparc", on loan from the company Festo, with stations such as an air shower, a flying carpet, an Aeolian harp, a shopping bag organ, a compressed air clock and a pneumatic tube. An art and design collection shows works by numerous artists, including the Japanese architect Kengo Kuma; technical objects range from fans to compressed air systems.

On the first floor and in the Gothic house chapel, exhibitions change; there are also concerts, readings and talks. The museum education program runs under the name "Fliegendes Klassenzimmer" (Flying Classroom) and was honored with a nationwide award in 2009.

Highlights

• Air experience trail "airparc" with air shower, flying carpet and pneumatic tube
• Gothic Engelsburg from the 14th century on the Vils
• Art and design collection on inflatable and pneumatic objects
• Museum education in the "Fliegendes Klassenzimmer"
• Children's birthday parties with a tour and crafts

Permanent exhibitions

• Lufterlebnispfad airparc – Hands-on stations make air tangible and audible – from the air shower and the flying carpet to the shopping bag organ and pneumatic tube.
• Kunst-, Architektur- und Designsammlung – Works by international artists who work with air, envelopes and pneumatics, complemented by holdings of the former Gummeum.
• Technische Sammlung – Objects from air and compressed air technology, such as fans, air filters and compressed air fittings from regional companies.

Founded

2006

Operated by

Luftmuseum e. V.

Director

Wilhelm Koch

Admission & discounts

Group tours cost €40 for a group of up to 15 people or €60 for two parallel groups of up to 30 people, each plus €4 admission per person. Special rates for school classes and kindergartens.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Not accessible due to the historic building fabric and the lack of an elevator. Dogs are not allowed; trained assistance dogs are excepted.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

In the "Fliegendes Klassenzimmer" there are Air Saturdays for children from age 7 and creative Wednesday groups for 6- to 10-year-olds (registration by email). Children's birthday parties last two hours, cost €150 including materials, are limited to 10 children from age 5 and take place without parents.

Getting there & parking

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

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