Museum Burg Querfurt

About the museum

Querfurt Castle is considered the largest and oldest castle complex on the Romanesque Road and is first mentioned in a tithe register from around 866 to 899. From the 10th century it was the ancestral seat of the noble Lords of Querfurt. After the main line died out in 1496, the Archbishopric of Magdeburg claimed it; later the small principality of Saxony-Querfurt was established here, before the complex became a Prussian state domain in 1815.

The museum has been housed in the castle's former granary and armory since 1952 and is run by the Saalekreis district. The permanent exhibition "Life in War and Peace" tells the story of the castle, the town of Querfurt and the region from prehistoric and early times onward. Separate areas honor two honorary citizens of the town: the poet Johannes Schlaf and the Africa explorer Hans Schomburgk.

An exhibition on knightly orders has its place in the castle's Amtshaus (administrative building). It traces the work of these orders from the Middle Ages to the present. The background is that the Order of the Holy Saviour of Mont-Réal has had its German headquarters at the castle since 2018. The tour includes the Knights' Hall, the Great Gallery, the Treasury and the castle church. Previously the castle hosted exhibitions on film for several years.

Highlights

• Largest and oldest castle on the Romanesque Road
• Permanent exhibition "Life in War and Peace" in the granary and armory
• Exhibition on knightly orders with Knights' Hall and Treasury
• Memorial areas for Johannes Schlaf and Hans Schomburgk
• Children's projects, knights' games and holiday programs

Permanent exhibitions

• Leben in Krieg und Frieden – The castle museum in the granary and armory presents the history of the castle, the town and the region's early history, with sections on Johannes Schlaf and Hans Schomburgk.
• Ritterorden – Ordensritter – The exhibition in the Amtshaus and the castle church shows how knightly orders have worked from the Middle Ages to today, with the Knights' Hall, Great Gallery and Treasury.

Founded

1952

Operated by

Landkreis Saalekreis

Admission & discounts

Children's projects from €5 and children's birthday parties from €7 per person (each for groups of at least 10 participants).

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Kids’ birthday parties

Children's castle tour, children's projects and holiday programs for children aged 6 and up; children's birthday parties for ages 5 to 12. For the knightly orders exhibition there is a question-and-answer game for the youngest visitors.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The outdoor dining area is currently closed because the donkey stable is being renovated.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 70 guests.

Princely House (up to 70 people), Princes' Hall (70 seats), Princes' Cellar (30 seats) and Café Salon (20 seats). Weddings in the wedding hall of the Princely House or in the castle church; an external caterer is required.

Plan your visit