Municipal general museum in the Altes Schloss on Brandplatz with a picture gallery, antiquities and special exhibitions – admission is free.
May 29, 2026 – January 31, 2027
Marking the 200th birthday of the Gießen-born politician, the exhibition sheds light on his life and asks what his ideas mean for democracy today – with many hands-on stations.
June 2, 2026 – October 11, 2026
A traveling poster exhibition about women in the resistance, supplemented by the museum with its own station on the Gießen communist and contemporary witness Ria Deeg.
October 14, 2026 – November 25, 2026
A poster exhibition by the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung about the long-serving Minister-President of Hesse and his role in postwar reconstruction and the integration of refugees.
The museum's roots go back to 1878, when an association for researching Upper Hessian local history was formed in Gießen and at the same time decided to set up a collection point for archaeological finds and antiquities. As early as the beginning of 1879, the first holdings, mostly from private sources, were on view. In 1912 the association, the town and the entrepreneur Wilhelm Gail brought their collections into a joint society; in 1936 the museum passed entirely into municipal ownership.
Since 1905 the Altes Schloss (Old Palace) on Brandplatz has served as the museum building. Built in the 14th century as a landgraves' castle, it had previously been a residence, chancellery, barracks and warehouse, and was slated for demolition at the end of the 19th century until Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig donated it to the town in 1893 on condition that it house the Upper Hessian collection.
During the air raid of December 1944 the palace burned out almost completely; a large part of the cultural history holdings, along with the inventory books, was lost. Afterward the folk culture collection was rebuilt and the art and ethnology collections were expanded. In 1978 and 1987 the Leib’sches Haus and the Wallenfels’sches Haus on Kirchenplatz were added as exhibition buildings, and in 1980 the rebuilt palace opened.
Following a decision by the city council in fall 2024, the former Oberhessisches Museum has been renamed "Museum für Gießen". The two buildings on Kirchenplatz have been closed since 2022 and are being converted for a new, accessible permanent exhibition focused on the city's history.
Admission is free.
| Children & teens | –Free admission for everyone. |
|---|---|
| Groups | –Free admission. Group tour (special exhibition, palace and city history, or picture gallery) flat rate €50; tour with workshop (1.5 hrs) flat rate €100; workshops for groups of up to 12 people (1.5 hrs) €4 per person. Register at museum@giessen.de or 0641 306-1331. |
| Public guided tour | €4Per person |
| Family Day (family workshop) | €15Per family (2 adults, up to 3 of their own children), each additional child €5; materials included, register by Wednesday 12:00 before the date. |
| Kids Day (children's workshop) | €10Per child, €5 with the Gießen-Pass; materials included, register by Wednesday 12:00 before the date. |
Free admission to all exhibitions; only guided tours and workshops are charged.
Wheelchair users should use the bell and intercom at the rear gate to the palace courtyard (which also leads to the terrace of the Schlosskeller); access via the inner courtyard has one step. There is an elevator in the building; two exhibition rooms can only be reached via three steps each. Wheelchair-accessible restroom in the Altes Schloss. With a disability parking permit, parking is possible behind the Altes Schloss (Kanzleiberg). Digital tours for people with dementia can be booked by care facilities.
Great for kids & families
Kids Days and Family Days with a child-friendly tour followed by a creative workshop for families with children aged 6 to 12 (registration required). Children's birthday parties with a collection tour and studio session cost €10 per child (inquire at least three weeks in advance). In the museum lab, digital activities are available to try out.
Marktplatz
All bus lines to Marktplatz: 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, 24, 801 and 802.
Paid parking
Paid parking on Brandplatz and in the underground parking at Berliner Platz. With a disability parking permit, parking behind the Altes Schloss (Kanzleiberg) or behind the Leib’sches Haus.
The museum recommends arriving by public transport. The buildings on Kirchenplatz are about a two-minute walk from the Altes Schloss.
Get directionsRestaurant Schlosskeller in the Altes Schloss (with a terrace in the palace courtyard).
Up to 250 guests.
Netanya-Saal on the first floor of the Altes Schloss (200 m²) for conferences, readings, lectures and concerts: up to 120 people seated, up to 250 standing. Rental for events and conferences €200, with use of the courtyard €300; reduced rates for local clubs and public authorities (each for up to 6 hours). Catering exclusively by Restaurant Schlosskeller. Inquiries to museum@giessen.de.
Inquiries & details| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Public guided tours and city walks on changing dates; once a month on Wednesdays at 12:30, "Kunstpause" (art break), a 20-minute short tour on a single object. For elementary school classes there is a "Museumsführerschein" (museum license) program with a visit to the storage depot and workshop. Tower climb: the key to the Heidenturm is available at the entrance during opening hours. |
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