Museum Aschenbrenner
Museum in Garmisch-Partenkirchen with porcelain, dolls and nativity scenes from the collection of its donor, Marianne Aschenbrenner.
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About the museum
The museum goes back to the collector Marianne Aschenbrenner, who was born in Düsseldorf in 1928 and lived permanently in Garmisch-Partenkirchen from the 1970s. Her passion began with a book about porcelain that she was given; later it grew to include dolls, eggs, elephants and paperweights. In 1996 she founded her first foundation to promote art and culture and set up an exhibition of her collections in the Kurhaus (spa house).
She stipulated that after her death in 2002 her entire fortune would flow into the foundations, her residence would be converted into a museum, and an annex would be built for the nativity scenes of the Werdenfelser Krippenfreunde (Werdenfels nativity friends). The Museum Aschenbrenner opened in July 2006.
Across around 300 square meters and two floors, the permanent exhibitions show porcelain, mainly from the 18th century, with pieces by the modelers Kändler and Melchior, as well as dolls ranging from French fashion dolls to Käthe Kruse play dolls. A modern new building houses the nativity exhibition with eleven large nativity scenes from four centuries and offers space for special exhibitions and events.
Highlights
- Porcelain collection with 18th-century Meissen pieces
- Dolls from the 19th century to Käthe Kruse play dolls, entered through a railway compartment
- Nativity exhibition with eleven large nativity scenes from four centuries
- Play corner and hands-on stations in the doll exhibition
Permanent exhibitions
- Porzellan – European porcelain, mostly from the 18th century, with insights into the Meissen manufactory and the world of the Rococo.
- Puppen – A tour from French fashion dolls to Käthe Kruse play dolls, told as a history of childhood, fashion and upbringing.
- Krippen – Eleven large nativity scenes from four centuries and smaller pieces, with a focus on the nativity tradition in the Werdenfels region.
- Founded
- 2006
- Operated by
- Stiftung Aschenbrenner
- Director
- Karin Teufl M.A.
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €4 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3.50 |
| Children & teens | –Children and young people up to 18 years of age enter free. |
Guests with the GaPa guest card enter free.
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 museum is wheelchair accessible.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
- Playground / play area
- Kids’ birthday parties
In the doll exhibition, a play corner with books and historical toys, a doll quiz and tactile doll bodies invite hands-on participation. Children's birthday parties with various programs can be booked.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Group tours through the permanent exhibitions can be booked; for senior groups there are free programs followed by coffee and cake (Kaffeetafel). For school classes and kindergarten groups, museum education tours are offered (€35 per hour plus material costs), optionally with a creative program. A 3D tour is available online. |
