Museum Eckernförde

About the museum

As early as the beginning of the 20th century there were considerations about a museum of its own in Eckernförde, but they were not realized until 1975: in March of that year the museum association was founded, and a few weeks later a local history museum opened in several classrooms of the Willers-Jessen-Schule. The financial foundation was laid by the Martin-Kruse-Stiftung.

When the city administration moved into a neighboring new building, the old town hall became vacant. The city had the building thoroughly restored with state funds, and in October 1987 the museum moved into the building. The core of the town hall dates from the mid-15th century and probably initially served as an arsenal; the entire upper floor is taken up by a citizens' hall of about 210 square meters, where the council, guilds, and court once met and weddings were celebrated.

The initially volunteer-run local history museum became, under professional management, a museum of city and cultural history. The sponsor is the city of Eckernförde; the museum association supports operations with personnel and funding; since 2018 the museum has been certified by the Museumsverband Schleswig-Holstein und Hamburg. In 2025 the central department on fishing and smoking was renewed and the 50th anniversary was celebrated.

The collection ranges from furniture, paintings, and Eckernförde faience of the 18th century, through guilds, trade, and everyday culture, to the fish processing that became famous with the Kieler Sprotten (smoked sprats). Further departments are devoted to the engagement of Eckernförde in 1849, the painters of the city, the period of National Socialism, war, and flight, and the electrification of Borby and Eckernförde.

Highlights

• Historic 15th-century town hall with a large citizens' hall
• Department on fishing and fish smoking
• Eckernförde faience from the 18th century
• Memorabilia of the engagement of Eckernförde in 1849
• Gallery of Eckernförde artists of the 19th and early 20th centuries
• Model railway layout with the cityscape of 1951

Permanent exhibitions

• Eckernförder Leben – Stadtgeschichte im alten Rathaus – Home furnishings, guilds, trade, and crafts of the port city, with a historic kitchen, a grocer's shop, faience, and the renewed department on fish smoking.
• Galerie Eckernförder Künstler – Paintings by painters from Eckernförde and the surrounding area from the 19th and early 20th centuries, from portraits to Impressionist landscapes.
• Vergessen und Verdrängt? – Department in the attic on National Socialism, war, and flight in Eckernförde, including a reconstructed refugee shelter.

Founded

1975

Operated by

Stadt Eckernförde (unterstützt vom Museumsverein Eckernförde e.V.)

Director

Dr. Dorothee Bieske

Admission & discounts

Museum education projects for school classes cost €35 (45 min.) or €50 (90 min.) per group plus €0.50 admission per participant.

Accessibility

• Partially 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 largely accessible without barriers.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The museum considers itself family-friendly. During school holidays there are free holiday fun activities for children, such as flashlight rallies or sailors' knots (registration required).

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Events & venue rental

• Weddings / ceremonies

Civil wedding ceremonies take place in the historic citizens' hall of the old town hall.

Plan your visit