Magnetmuseum
Museum on permanent magnets and almost 100 years of magnet production on the Tridelta factory site in Dortmund-Aplerbeck – free admission.
About the museum
The Magnetmuseum was created in 1999 for Aplerbeck's 1,100th anniversary on the grounds of the local magnet factory; the project was driven mainly by two former employees. Magnet production on the site dates back to 1920. The plant later belonged to Deutsche Edelstahlwerke and to Thyssen, and in 1997 the Tridelta Group took over production.
The museum had to close in 2005 for operational reasons. In June 2013 it reopened in the former executive offices of Deutsche Edelstahlwerke on the factory grounds. After another interruption, it has again been open two days a week since October 2025.
In four rooms, the exhibition shows how magnetic materials developed and where permanent magnets are found in everyday life – from meters, telephones and loudspeakers to measuring instruments, relays and clocks, small motors and medical technology. Interactive models make induction and magnetization easy to understand, and a telephone switchboard from 1959 is one of the eye-catchers. The entire collection weighs around 35 tonnes; part of it is kept in storage.
Highlights
- Development of magnetic materials from almost 100 years of production in Aplerbeck
- Permanent magnets in telecommunications, loudspeakers, measuring instruments and motors
- Telephone switchboard from 1959
- Interactive models on induction and magnetization
- Guided tours by former employees, free admission
Permanent exhibitions
- Die Welt der Dauermagnete – Four rooms on magnetic materials, historical applications in telecommunications and loudspeakers, modern uses such as clocks and medical technology, and interactive models on magnetization.
- Founded
- 1999
- Operated by
- Tridelta Dortmund GmbH
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Children & teens | –Free admission for everyone. |
|---|---|
| Groups (10+ people) | –Groups of 10 or more by advance registration only. |
Admission and guided tour are free.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Hands-on stations
The museum explicitly welcomes kindergarten groups as well; interactive models invite visitors to join in.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Sterie
U47 to the terminus Aplerbeck, then bus 420 (toward Ramhofstraße) to the "Sterie" stop; alternatively, regional train R 59 to Aplerbeck or R 53 to Aplerbeck-Süd.
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
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Guided tours are mandatory and last about 1 to 1.5 hours; groups register by phone or email. |
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