Museum im Wittelsbacher Schloss Friedberg

Current exhibitions

About the museum

The museum is one of the early museum foundations in Bavaria and looks back on more than 130 years of history; it was founded in 1886. Today it occupies the south wing of the Wittelsbacher Schloss over two floors. The building was thoroughly redesigned and equipped with media stations, hands-on activities and a café.

One focus is palace and town history. Clockmaking is given special emphasis: from the 16th to the early 19th century Friedberg was an important center of this craft, whose products went to much of Europe. The section on Friedberg faience also recalls a short-lived manufactory that Elector Maximilian III Joseph had set up in rooms of the palace in 1754; because of its brief production period, the pieces are considered great rarities.

Further sections show archaeological finds from the Stone and Bronze Ages through Roman times to the early Middle Ages, evidence of pilgrimage and sacred art, for example on the Herrgottsruh pilgrimage and St. Afra im Felde, and Friedberg art of the 20th century. There you can see graphics by Fritz Schwimbeck and coin designs by Reinhart Heinsdorff, who among other things designed the German euro cent coins.

Highlights

• Friedberg clocks from the 16th to the early 19th century
• Friedberg faience from the electoral manufactory
• Archaeological finds from the Stone Age to the early Middle Ages
• Works by Fritz Schwimbeck and coin designs by Reinhart Heinsdorff
• Museum café with terrace in the palace garden

Permanent exhibitions

• Schloss- und Stadtgeschichte mit Friedberger Uhren – The history of palace and town, and the clockmaking that shaped Friedberg from the 16th to the early 19th century.
• Archäologie und Fayencen – Finds of supra-regional importance from the Stone and Bronze Ages to the early Middle Ages, and products of the short-lived faience manufactory in the palace.
• Wallfahrt, sakrale Kunst und Friedberger Kunst des 20. Jahrhunderts – Pilgrimage sites of the town and works by Fritz Schwimbeck, Karl Müller-Liedeck and Reinhart Heinsdorff.

Founded

1886

Operated by

Stadt Friedberg

Admission & discounts

Guided tours through the permanent exhibition (max. 20 people) cost €59 for 60 minutes, plus reduced admission.

Accessibility

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

The palace is a historic building, so not all rooms are wheelchair-accessible. Accessible parking spaces at the visitor center next to the palace. Dogs are not allowed in the museum or the café, except guide and assistance dogs for blind people. Important information is available on the website in Leichte Sprache (Easy German).

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

Children explore the museum with the clockmaker's apprentice Philipp via a children's audio guide and a puzzle leaflet (free at the ticket desk). In the summer holidays there is a puzzle tour, along with workshops and a holiday program. Hands-on stations throughout the exhibition.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café

Museum café with terrace in the palace garden, Tuesday to Sunday and on public holidays 10:00–17:00.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit