Martin-Heidegger-Museum

About the museum

The Martin-Heidegger-Museum honors the philosopher Martin Heidegger, who grew up in Meßkirch. It was set up in 2002 on the ground floor of the east wing of Meßkirch Castle, together with a Heidegger archive, in cooperation with the Meßkirch Martin-Heidegger-Stiftung foundation and the Schiller National Museum in Marbach.

The exhibition uses three rooms and is organized into four themes: a life chronology; the key stages of Heidegger's philosophical development; smaller sections on his connection to Meßkirch and on his relationship to art. His entanglement with National Socialism is also explicitly addressed. The academic concept comes from the Freiburg philosopher Günter Figal.

The displayed objects include the Sternwürfel (star cube) from the fountain at Heidegger's hut in Todtnauberg. There are also works by artists associated with the philosopher, including Eduardo Chillida, Georges Braque, and Otto Dix. A media station offers photo, film, and audio material. The museum shares the castle, which the town of Meßkirch has owned since 1961, with the Kreisgalerie (district gallery) and the Oldtimermuseum (vintage car museum).

Highlights

• Life chronology of the philosopher Martin Heidegger
• Stages of his philosophical development
• Sternwürfel from the fountain at the hut in Todtnauberg
• Works by Chillida, Braque, and Dix
• Media station with photo, film, and audio material
• Examination of Heidegger's role in National Socialism

Permanent exhibition

• Martin-Heidegger-Museum – Life chronology, stages of his thinking, Heidegger and Meßkirch, and Heidegger and art, across three rooms in the east wing.

Founded

2002

Operated by

Stadt Meßkirch

Admission & discounts

Free admission with Bodensee Card Plus, AlbCard, and AuszeitCard; €1 discount with the AboKarte of the Schwäbische Zeitung and the Volksbanken Raiffeisenbanken Gold Card; 20% reduction when arriving with a bwtarif ticket, D-Ticket JugendBW, or Deutschland-Ticket (bwegtPlus).

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator
• 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

Elevator at the castle's main entrance (access to the Festsaal, the great hall); a second elevator in the storage area can be reached directly from the parking lot.

Kids & families

Children up to and including age 14 enter free. For groups, a children's and family castle tour (approx. 1 hour) can be booked.

Getting there & parking

Location: Kirchstraße 7; postal address: Hauptstraße 25–27.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Writings by and about Martin Heidegger are sold at the museum ticket desk.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

The castle's Festsaal, Turmzimmer (tower room), and seminar room are available for rent; civil weddings in the seminar room by arrangement with the registry office.

Plan your visit