Museum Harsefeld

Current exhibitions

About the museum

The museum stands in the middle of the monastery park next to the foundation walls of the Benedictine monastery, which existed from 1102 to 1647. The present building was erected in 1775 on foundations dating from the monastery period as the administrative and court building of the Amt Harsefeld; justice was dispensed here, and the last death sentence was carried out in 1842. Later it served as a forester's house, as a school caretaker's residence and finally as the office of the archaeologists who excavated the monastery grounds from 1981.

After the discovery of the monastery complex, a total of 79 people founded the Verein für Kloster- und Heimatgeschichte (Society for Monastery and Local History) in 1985. Together with the Flecken Harsefeld as owner, it opened the museum in 1986 to show the results of the excavations. In 2001 the building was completely renovated and modernized.

The permanent exhibition "Burg, Stift, Kloster Harsefeld" tells of the life of the monks and of the monastery's supraregional importance for the Elbe-Weser triangle. The exhibition "5000 Jahre Leben an der Aue" shows arrowheads, axe wedges, swords and urns from prehistory and early history, and the Friedrich-Huth-Zimmer commemorates a great patron from the village. On the first floor, a new permanent exhibition is dedicated to the alleged poisoner "Die rote Lena"; in addition, the museum shows changing special exhibitions. Civil marriage ceremonies are also held in the building.

Highlights

• Permanent exhibition on the castle, Stift and Benedictine monastery of Harsefeld (1102–1647)
• Prehistory and early history: weapons, tools and urns from five millennia
• Friedrich-Huth-Zimmer for a patron from Harsefeld
• New permanent exhibition "Die rote Lena" about an alleged poisoner
• Court and administrative office of 1775 on monastery foundations
• Free admission

Permanent exhibitions

• Burg, Stift, Kloster Harsefeld – Ein Platz im Wandel – The exhibition shows the life of the monks in the Benedictine monastery (1102–1647) and its significance for the Elbe-Weser triangle.
• 5000 Jahre Leben an der Aue – Prehistory and early history of the region, using arrowheads, axe wedges, swords and urns from different epochs.
• Friedrich-Huth-Zimmer – A room with special objects on the life and donations of patron Friedrich Huth, who spent his childhood in Harsefeld.
• Die rote Lena – New exhibition on the first floor about the alleged poisoner "Die rote Lena"; the accompanying non-fiction novel is available at the museum.

Founded

1986

Operated by

Verein für Kloster- und Heimatgeschichte Harsefeld e. V.

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is free.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom
• 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 ground floor has limited barriers and is accessible via a ramp; the first floor with the exhibition "Die rote Lena" can only be reached by a narrow staircase. Accessible unisex restroom.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops: not available
• Kids’ birthday parties: not available

The program for children and young people (including the activity program "Von Hexen, Rittern und Mönchen" for primary school pupils and children's birthday parties) is currently not offered. Admission is free for everyone.

Getting there & parking

By car from the A26, exit Horneburg, via the Postmoor road to Harsefeld; the museum is in the monastery park (Am Amtshof 3).

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop with local literature, the yearbooks "Geschichte und Gegenwart", postcards and souvenirs from Harsefeld; the non-fiction novel about "Die rote Lena" is also available there for €18.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Weddings / ceremonies

Civil marriage ceremonies can be held in the museum.

Plan your visit