September 12, 2026 – November 15, 2026
… da ist alles drin, lauter Bilder. Der Malerpoet Otto Heinrich Kühner
Exhibition in the Residenzschloss Bad Arolsen on the painter and poet Otto Heinrich Kühner.
Museum Bad Arolsen
Municipal museum network in Bad Arolsen with palace exhibitions and houses dedicated to the sculptor Rauch and the Kaulbach painter family.
Have only individual sections read aloud
Opening hoursAdmission €3
Current exhibitions
About the museum
The Museum Bad Arolsen is a network of several houses in the baroque residence town of the princes of Waldeck and Pyrmont. It is run by the town of Bad Arolsen and is devoted mainly to two artist families who came from the town: the sculptor Christian Daniel Rauch (born in Arolsen in 1777) and the painter dynasty around Wilhelm von Kaulbach.
In the west wing of the Residenzschloss, the museum and the museum association show changing exhibitions on art and cultural history, contemporary art and photography. The Schreibersches Haus is among the oldest buildings in town; its festive hall, with carvings by Johann Friedrich Valentin, Rauch's first teacher, is considered one of the most beautiful in Hesse, and a town history section tells the story of the origins of the 18th-century residence town. The Kaulbach House, birthplace of the history painter Wilhelm von Kaulbach, preserves the family's original carpentry workshop; in Rauch's birthplace, portraits, drawings and travel diaries commemorate the sculptor.
The network also includes the Christian Daniel Rauch Museum in the baroque Marstall (stables), which is listed as a separate entry with its own admission. Since 2018 the museum has also held a larger collection of objects on the motif of Reineke Fuchs (Reynard the Fox), from the collection of the collector Friedrich von Fuchs.
Highlights
- Changing exhibitions on art, cultural history and photography in the west wing of the Residenzschloss
- Birthplace of the sculptor Christian Daniel Rauch
- Kaulbach House with the painter family's original carpentry workshop
- Schreibersches Haus with a splendid festive hall and town history section
- Sunday guided tours and museum education programs
Permanent exhibitions
- Schreibersches Haus – Kaulbach-Familie, Stadtgeschichte und Festsaal – Paintings and prints on the Kaulbach painter dynasty, a town history section on the origins of the residence town, and a richly carved festive hall.
- Kaulbach-Haus – Mit Hobel und Säge, Pinsel und Palette – Birthplace of the painter Wilhelm von Kaulbach with the original carpentry workshop, paintings and playful stations on wood and crafts.
- C. D. Rauch-Geburtshaus – The sculptor Christian Daniel Rauch was born in the former footmen's house; portraits, drawings, travel diaries and medals show the artist's life and influence.
- Operated by
- Stadt Bad Arolsen
- Director
- Sandra Simshäuser
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €3 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €2students, pupils and people with a severe disability ID |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 12 · Free admission for children up to 12 years |
| Visitors with disabilities | €2Reduction with a severe disability ID |
| Students & apprentices | €2Pupils and students |
| Groups (6+ people) | –Reduction for groups of six or more people |
| Combined ticket for all museum houses (valid for two days) | €7Reduced €5 |
| Museum pass for all houses (valid for one year) | €20 |
| Guided tour for up to 20 people (adults) | €40Guide fee per group |
The lowest price is given in each case: the birthplace, the Schreibersches Haus and the Kaulbach House cost €3 (reduced €2), and the palace exhibitions and the Christian Daniel Rauch Museum cost €4 (reduced €3).
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- 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 Christian Daniel Rauch Museum is accessible; no information is available for the other houses.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 12 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
- Kids’ birthday parties
For children and young people there are museum education tours of the current exhibition and of the individual houses, on request with drawing or playful tasks. In the Kaulbach House, playful stations explain wood, crafts and furniture styles. Children up to 12 years have free admission.
Getting there & parking
The houses are located in the baroque residence town of Bad Arolsen around the palace; for addresses see the locations. The Christian Daniel Rauch Museum is in the Marstall opposite the palace, Schlossstraße 30.
Get directionsAmenities & 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 | Guided tours for groups of up to 20 people (school classes, birthdays, clubs) by arrangement at phone 05691 625734; the program also includes Sunday guided tours. Guided tours by outside guides are not permitted in the houses. |
