Museum für Vor- und Frühgeschichte

About the museum

After World War II, Saarland's archaeological holdings were first housed in the Palais Freithal on Saarbrücken's Ludwigsplatz. In 1959 the Museum für Vor- und Frühgeschichte opened there to the public. From 1965, the archaeologist Alfons Kolling directed the museum for many years; in 1980 it became part of the newly founded Stiftung Saarländischer Kulturbesitz.

When the state acquired the Kreisständehaus on the Baroque Schlossplatz in 2005, the museum gained new premises. After a comprehensive renovation in 2008/09, around 2,000 square meters of exhibition space are available there; the Alte Sammlung (Old Collection) of the Saarlandmuseum also displays its holdings in the same building.

The tour begins with Stone Age finds, continues with Bronze Age hoards and grave finds, and focuses on the Celts and Romans. The showpiece is the furnishing of the princess's grave of Reinheim, discovered during gravel extraction in 1954: gold neck rings and bracelets with human faces and lion heads, jewelry of glass, amber and oil shale, a bronze mirror and a drinking set. Other highlights include Roman wall paintings from the villa at Mechern and bronze statuettes from Schwarzenacker. Medieval finds are on display in the neighboring Schlosskirche.

Highlights

• Gold jewelry and grave goods from the Celtic princess's grave of Reinheim (Early La Tène period)
• Roman wall paintings from the villa at Mechern
• Bronze statuettes from Roman Schwarzenacker
• Gallo-Roman glass urn from Marpingen
• Gold disc brooch from Wittersheim

Permanent exhibitions

• Archäologie des Saarlandes – A tour from the Stone Age through the Bronze and Iron Ages to the Roman period and the early Middle Ages, with the princess's grave of Reinheim as its highlight.

Founded

1959

Operated by

Stiftung Saarländischer Kulturbesitz

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Free admission on Wednesdays from 15:00 and every first Sunday of the month.

Free admission also for, among others, holders of the SaarlandCARD, Saar Pass and SozialCard, recipients of social benefits, and members of the Fördergesellschaft (friends' association), the Deutscher Museumsbund and ICOM. Card payment accepted.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: not available
• Accessible parking
• 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

According to the foundation, almost fully wheelchair-accessible: ramp to the entrance, elevator (90 cm) between the three floors, platform lift on the first floor (not suitable for larger power wheelchairs) – one section of a room cannot be reached. Accessible parking spaces behind the Altes Rathaus (about 200 m across the cobbled Schlossplatz). Accessible restrooms only in the neighboring museum in the Schlosskirche, reached via the steep lane "Am Schlossberg".

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

Tours, workshops, and hands-on stations for children and families; dates in the events calendar. Free admission under age 18.

Getting there & parking

By car via the A 620, exit Wilhelm-Heinrich-Brücke, then follow the signs to Schloss.

Amenities & dining

• Coat check
• Lockers

Larger bags must be left at the coat check or in a locker.

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit