Museum der St. Josefskongregation

About the museum

The museum opened in 1984 and displays the art collection of the St. Josefskongregation, a community of sisters in Ursberg. It is on the first floor of the west wing of the former Premonstratensian imperial abbey, which existed from 1125 to 1802. This part of the building is now called Haus St. Josef and houses the Ringeisen-Gymnasium (secondary school).

The collection covers works of art from the 15th to the 20th century. Some pieces come from the old monastery, others from the congregation's houses in Kloster Holzen and Maria Bildhausen; a considerable part are donations. Highlights include Gothic figures from around 1400 to 1480, the "Kleine Pietà" by Christoph Rodt (1620) and seven late Baroque limewood figures by the Franconian sculptor Ferdinand Tietz, created between 1754 and 1770 on commission from Abbot Bonifaz Geßner. In addition, there are portraits of abbots from the 18th century, a pastel by Raphael Mengs, convent handicrafts, and furniture from the sacristy and library.

The house also commemorates Dominikus Ringeisen, founder of the Ursberg institutions for people with disabilities. The complex includes the monastery library, with around 12,500 volumes and a ceiling fresco by Konrad Huber (1793–1796).

Highlights

• Seven limewood figures by Ferdinand Tietz (1754–1770)
• Gothic sculptures and the "Kleine Pietà" by Christoph Rodt
• Pastel "Bildnis eines jungen Mannes" by Raphael Mengs
• Convent handicrafts and furniture from the Premonstratensian abbey
• Mementos of Dominikus Ringeisen

Permanent exhibition

• Kunstsammlung der St. Josefskongregation – Works of art from the 15th to the 20th century, including sculptures by Ferdinand Tietz, paintings, convent handicrafts and mementos of Dominikus Ringeisen.

Founded

1984

Operated by

St. Josefskongregation Ursberg

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is a voluntary donation.

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 art museum is accessible, but the monastery library is not.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Educational programmes for children and young people are available upon registration.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the west wing of the former monastery (Haus St. Josef) on the monastery grounds in Ursberg. The former monastery church, now the parish church, is also worth a visit.

Amenities & dining

The monastery grounds include the Klosterbräuhaus and the Ursberger Laden, both easily reached from the museum.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit