Museum der Stadt Gladbeck
City museum in the main house and gatehouse of Wittringen moated castle, with Gladbeck's history from prehistory through mining to the postwar period.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum originates in the collections of the Verein für Orts- und Heimatkunde Gladbeck (local history association), founded in 1910. Wittringen moated castle (Wasserschloss) is first documented in 1263. The town of Gladbeck acquired the castle complex and grounds in 1922 and had the main house rebuilt as a museum based on historical plans; in 1928, the house opened, and the site was opened to the public at the same time as the Wittringen recreation area (Volkserholungsstätte).
The museum presents the history of the people of Gladbeck from early times to the present, in the main house and gatehouse. The permanent exhibition runs from the animals and people of prehistory through the medieval Wittringen castle, peasant life, wedding customs and Westphalian (vestische) cooking, to mining, industry and the world of mining families. The sections on the town's formation, the two world wars and the postwar period are currently being rebuilt. Coal mining shaped the place from 1873 until 1971, when the last pit in Gladbeck closed.
Highlights
- Museum in the historic main house and gatehouse of Wittringen moated castle
- Permanent exhibition from prehistory to mining
- Free audio guide via smartphone app (Hearonymus)
- Virtual 360° tour of the permanent exhibition
- Admission free
Permanent exhibition
- Dauerausstellung zur Gladbecker Geschichte – Themed rooms from prehistory and Wittringen castle, through agriculture and Westphalian cooking, to mining, industry and the everyday life of mining families.
- Founded
- 1928
- Operated by
- Stadt Gladbeck
- Director
- Dr. Susanne Peters-Schildgen
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Admission is free.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
Learning programmes and workshops for school classes and kindergartens, such as "Auf den Spuren der Steinzeitmenschen" (On the Trail of Stone Age People) for kindergartens from age 3, 90 minutes; holiday workshops for 10- to 14-year-olds as part of the NRW Kulturrucksack (culture backpack).
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Stadion · 10-min walk
Take bus line 189 to the Stadion stop; from there, it is about a 10-minute walk.
By car
Parking available
Parking directly in front of the museum is paid; a free car park is about 350 m away on Bohmertstraße.
Navigation address: Burgstraße 64, 45964 Gladbeck (Wasserschloss Wittringen).
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 |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Audio guide via the free smartphone app "Hearonymus" (offline use is possible after download; the tour takes about 43 minutes). Guided tours for groups and school classes (60–90 minutes) and regular public tours; registration at 02043 992930. |
