Museum im Augustiner-Chorherrenstift

About the museum

Augustinian canons have lived on Herreninsel since 1261. The present monastery complex, with four wings around a courtyard with a rose garden, dates from the 17th and 18th centuries. Richly decorated rooms have survived, such as the Kaisersaal, the Garden Hall with its sleeping alcove, and the Library Hall with paintings by Johann Baptist Zimmermann.

The monastery was dissolved in 1803 during the secularization. Seventy years later, King Ludwig II acquired the entire island and set up living quarters in the monastery building, which he used during visits to the construction site of the New Palace; hence the name "Altes Schloss" (Old Palace). His former bedroom and the court kitchen can be visited.

In the Konvent and Fürstenstock wings, the museum "Der Wille zu Freiheit und Demokratie" commemorates the constitutional convent of August 1948, where experts discussed the basic principles of what would later become the Basic Law. The Konventstock also displays works by painters from the Chiemsee region, while in the Prälaturstock the Julius Exter Gallery offers an overview of the painter's work.

Highlights

• Constitutional museum on the 1948 Herrenchiemsee convent
• Julius Exter Gallery in the Prälaturstock
• Gallery of Chiemsee painters
• Kaisersaal, Library Hall and Ludwig II's bedroom
• Court kitchen and rose garden

Permanent exhibitions

• Der Wille zu Freiheit und Demokratie – der Verfassungskonvent von Herrenchiemsee 1948 – Permanent exhibition on the 1948 constitutional convent and the foundations of the Basic Law, with hands-on stations.
• Galerie Julius Exter – Overview of all phases of the painter Julius Exter's work, in the baroque rooms of the Prälaturstock.
• Galerie Maler am Chiemsee – Works by painters who were active at the Chiemsee, in the Konventstock.

Founded

1998

Operated by

Bayerische Schlösserverwaltung

Admission & discounts

Single ticket €6, reduced €5, including the museum and galleries. Reductions only with the original proof. Boat transport is not included.

Accessibility

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

Several paths to Herreninsel are signposted; the walk from the visitor center to the New Palace takes about 20 minutes. Wheelchairs can be borrowed on site. Chiemsee ferries have mobile ramps, and accessible parking spaces are available at most landing stages. A tactile model of the island stands in front of the visitor center, but there is no guidance system for the blind. Large groups are asked to register in advance.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities

The constitutional museum invites visitors to take part at many points; for home there is a craft template for a paper lion. Children's tours for ages 5 to 12 take place in the New Palace. There is a changing table in the restroom for all at the visitor center.

Getting there & parking

By car via the A8, exit Bernau, to Prien am Chiemsee. Boats from Prien/Stock run regularly to Herreninsel (crossing about 20 minutes, not included in the museum admission). The walk from Prien station to the landing stage takes about 30 minutes.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop

Palace café in the New Palace and Schlosswirtschaft (restaurant) in the Augustinian Canons' Monastery; museum shop and kiosk in the visitor information center.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit