Museum Künstlerkolonie Darmstadt

About the museum

In 1899 Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig of Hesse brought seven young artists to Darmstadt, among them Joseph Maria Olbrich and Peter Behrens. On the Mathildenhöhe, the former court garden, they were to develop new forms of building and living and to unite art and craft. By 1914 the colony had had a total of 23 members; the exhibitions of 1901, 1904, 1908, and 1914 made the place internationally famous.

The centerpiece of the complex is the Ernst-Ludwig-Haus, which Olbrich designed as a shared studio and festival building. The foundation stone was laid in March 1900; by the first exhibition in 1901, the long building with its gilded portal and the two monumental entrance figures by Ludwig Habich was complete. A central festival hall was flanked by studios, and there were apartments on the lower floor.

The building was reconstructed in the late 1980s and opened as the Museum Künstlerkolonie in May 1990. Today it is run by the Institut Mathildenhöhe of the City of Darmstadt, which also oversees the municipal art collection. Since 2021 the Mathildenhöhe has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The collection display features furniture, complete room ensembles, ceramics, metalwork, textiles, graphic art, and models by the artists. At its heart is the idea of designing rooms as a Gesamtkunstwerk (total work of art), in which architecture, furnishings, and everyday objects are harmonized with one another – an approach later carried forward by the Werkbund and the Bauhaus.

Highlights

• Ernst-Ludwig-Haus by Joseph Maria Olbrich (1901) with Habich's portal figures
• Room ensembles and furniture by Olbrich, Behrens, Christiansen, and Albin Müller
• Part of the Mathildenhöhe Darmstadt UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Free admission for children and young people up to age 18
• Monthly children's tour and Sunday guided tour of the collection

Permanent exhibitions

• RAUMKUNST – Made in Darmstadt – Collection display with more than 150 pieces of furniture, room ensembles, ceramics, textiles, models, and graphic works by Olbrich, Behrens, Albin Müller, and other colony members. It shows how the artists designed living spaces as a harmonized total work of art.

Founded

1990

Operated by

Wissenschaftsstadt Darmstadt (Institut Mathildenhöhe)

Director

Dr. Philipp Gutbrod

Admission & discounts

Cash payment is currently not possible at the Museum Künstlerkolonie (pay by card or at the Ausstellungsgebäude [exhibition building] ticket desk). Refugees from Ukraine get free admission with proof. Reduced admission with the Darmstadt Card.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• 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

Accessible entry via the west/main entrance. Two accessible parking spaces at Olbrichweg 10 in front of Hochschule Darmstadt (University of Applied Sciences), near the accessible entrance. The museum was certified under “Reisen für Alle” (Travel for All) from March 2023 to February 2026.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Children's tour of the collection on the 1st Saturday of every month at 15:00 (€3, no registration needed, meeting point in the foyer). Children and young people up to age 18 get free admission.

Getting there & parking

About 30 minutes from Frankfurt Airport via the A5; AirLiner bus to Darmstadt Hbf.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop in the Oktogon (Olbrichweg 13 A, Tue–Sun 11:00–18:00). On the Mathildenhöhe, the Café Restaurant Mathildenhöhe is at Sabaisplatz 1 next to the Ausstellungsgebäude (Tue–Sun 10:00–22:00).

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit