Museum für Urgeschichte und Eiszeitkunst

Current exhibitions

About the museum

In 1965 the town of Blaubeuren set up a prehistory museum in a single room to display finds from the caves of the nearby Ach and Blau valleys. In 1970 it expanded to three rooms; in 2002 space for special exhibitions and a gallery of the earliest art were added, and in 2009 the permanent exhibition was completely redesigned.

The museum is housed in the former municipal Heilig-Geist-Spital (Hospital of the Holy Spirit), a large 15th-century half-timbered building on the Kirchplatz. In 2014/15 the building was extensively renovated and expanded at a cost of around €7.7 million; the work received the Deutscher Fachwerkpreis (German half-timbering award). Since 2012 the museum has been a branch of the Archäologisches Landesmuseum Baden-Württemberg (state archaeological museum), with close academic ties to the University of Tübingen.

The focus is on finds from around 40,000 years ago: the female figurine from Hohle Fels carved from mammoth ivory, animal figurines, and flutes made of bone and ivory that rank among the oldest known musical instruments. Since 2017 the museum has been the central information point for the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Caves and Ice Age Art in the Swabian Jura". Hands-on stations with flint, leather and sound bring the Stone Age world to life.

Highlights

• Venus of Hohle Fels, one of the oldest known depictions of a human being
• Flutes made of bird bone and mammoth ivory – the world's oldest musical instruments
• Animal figurines of mammoth ivory in the "Schatzkammern der Kunst" (Treasure Chambers of Art)
• Information center for the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Caves and Ice Age Art in the Swabian Jura"
• Hands-on activities on Stone Age technology

Permanent exhibitions

• Schatzkammern der Kunst – The core rooms display original finds of Ice Age art from the Swabian Jura, including the Venus of Hohle Fels and ivory animal figurines.
• Klangräume – Bone and ivory flutes from the caves of the Swabian Jura represent the beginnings of music some 40,000 years ago.

Founded

1965

Operated by

Stadt Blaubeuren; Zweigmuseum des Archäologischen Landesmuseums Baden-Württemberg

Director

Stefanie Kölbl

Admission & discounts

Free admission for, among others, children from Blaubeuren, AlbCard holders, members of ICOM, the Deutscher and Württembergischer Museumsbund (German and Württemberg museum associations) and the friends' associations (GfU, pro.urmu).

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Entrance via a gentle ramp; elevator, stairlift (up to 200 kg) and ramps provide access to all exhibition areas. Some rooms on the upper floor are narrow and have low thresholds.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly: not available
• Baby changing facilities
• Kids’ birthday parties

Museum game “Mit Keram in die Steinzeit,” digital puzzle tour, hands-on stations, child-friendly tours, and children's birthday parties. Baby changing area on request from staff; strollers cannot go into the treasure chambers on the upper floor and are left at the coat check.

Getting there & parking

By car via the B28, follow the signs to Stadtmitte/Museum. Entrance on the southern Kirchplatz. On the Danube Cycle Path; bicycle racks with an e-bike charging station on the northern Kirchplatz.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Coat check

Museum café in the foyer with a summer area in the Walnusshof. Shop with specialist books and replicas.

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit