Museum Hochzeitshaus Fritzlar
Town museum in the half-timbered Hochzeitshaus (wedding house) of 1580/90: 1,300 years of Fritzlar history with audio and media stations and a 3D burial chamber.
About the museum
It all began in 1951 with a Fritzlar working group for prehistory and early history that was looking for a place for its finds. The town gave it the large hall on the first floor of the Hochzeitshaus, where the first prehistoric and early historic collections went on display in July 1956. Folk culture holdings were added later, and the building developed into a regional museum of prehistory and early history, folk culture and town history. Since 1980 the Stiftung Museum Fritzlar (museum foundation) has run the museum, while the buildings remain the property of the town.
The Hochzeitshaus itself was built between 1580 and 1590 on the stone base of a tithe barn that had belonged to the town estate of Haina Abbey. The town had bought the estate on condition that it build a festival hall there for weddings and other celebrations of the townspeople. Over the following centuries, the massive half-timbered building served as a military hospital, barracks, school and residential building, among other things; after 1945 refugees were also housed here for a time.
From 2017 the interior was extensively renovated and made accessible: a new stair tower with an elevator reaches the upper floors via bridges, and two open halls were restored on the first and second floors. On July 15, 2022, the building reopened as the Museum Hochzeitshaus with a new permanent exhibition that focuses entirely on the town's history and makes the listed building itself the most important exhibit.
On around 1,200 square meters, the exhibition spans from prehistory to the present. The third floor houses an event hall, a room for temporary exhibitions and a wedding room where marriage ceremonies are once again held.
Highlights
- One of the largest half-timbered houses in Hesse, built 1580–1590
- 3D simulation of a stone chamber tomb around 5,500 years old
- Archaeology section with a large beaker from around 2800 BC
- Interviews with contemporary witnesses at audio and media stations, including on Jewish life in Fritzlar
- VR reconstruction of the Fritzlar synagogue, ravaged in 1938
- Historic boundary stones and a Renaissance portal in the museum courtyard
Permanent exhibitions
- Stadtgeschichte von der Vorzeit bis zur Reformation – On the first floor, the story ranges from archaeological finds through Fritzlar's heyday with imperial visits and synods in the 10th to 13th centuries up to the 16th century. A 3D simulation shows a Neolithic chamber tomb.
- Stadtgeschichte vom 16. Jahrhundert bis heute – The second floor covers everyday life, crafts, schools, water supply and the garrison up to the present day. Contemporary witnesses share their stories at audio stations, and a VR station reconstructs the destroyed synagogue.
- Founded
- 1956
- Operated by
- Stiftung Museum Fritzlar
- Director
- Stefanie Mnich
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €4 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €2Young people up to age 17, trainees/apprentices, university students, people with a disability degree (GdB) of 50 or more, recipients of benefits under SGB II and SGB XII (German social security codes) |
| Children & teens | €2free up to age 5 · Children under 6 free; reduced admission thereafter up to and including age 17. |
| Seniors | –No senior discount listed. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €2Reduced from a disability degree of 50. |
| Students & apprentices | €2Also applies to trainees/apprentices. |
| Groups (10+ people) | €3 per personSchool classes and kindergartens get free admission. |
| Families | –No family ticket listed. |
| Combination ticket Museum Hochzeitshaus + Dommuseum Fritzlar | €7 |
Group tour for adults (1.5 hrs) €60 plus reduced admission; tour for school classes and kindergartens (1.5 hrs) €30. The public Thursday tour is at no extra charge, admission only.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- 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
Accessible entrance on the street Am Hochzeitshaus; an elevator in the stair tower serves all three levels. Visual aids can be borrowed at the reception. An inclusive history project with augmentative and alternative communication (Unterstützte Kommunikation) can be booked for schools.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
- Kids’ birthday parties
Children can try on historical clothing and write with a goose quill and ink. There are workshops, Saturday workshops, hand-puppet tours and holiday programs (including during the children's holiday games in summer). Children's birthday parties for ages 5 and up by registration.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Fritzlar Allee
Nearest bus stop Fritzlar Allee (lines 407, 413 and express bus 500 Kassel–Bad Wildungen). Fritzlar train station is south of the Eder River, about 1.3 km from the old town; trains from Kassel direct or with a change in Wabern.
By car
Parking available
Public parking on the northern edge of the old town (Allee, Am Grauen Turm).
The museum is in the old town west of the market square; by car via the A 49 highway.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Weddings / ceremonies
On the third floor there is a wedding room for marriage ceremonies and an event hall; events are also held in the museum courtyard.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 1.5 hrs |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | no |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Public guided tour every Thursday at 15:00, no registration needed (admission only). Group and themed tours (approx. 1.5 hrs), also with a subsequent town walk, as well as free tours of the boundary stones and Renaissance portal in the museum courtyard by arrangement at museum@stadt-fritzlar.de. For schools there are themed tours and projects, some also outside opening hours. |
