Museum Obere Saline

About the museum

The Würzburg prince-bishops had the stately residential building of the Obere Saline in the Hausen district built in the 18th century and lived in it themselves. Between 1876 and 1893, Chancellor Otto von Bismarck stayed here during his spa visits; his apartment has been preserved with its original furnishings.

At the end of 1997, the city of Bad Kissingen took over the property for the symbolic price of one mark. On the 100th anniversary of Bismarck's death, July 30, 1998, the Bismarck Museum opened. In the following years, a foyer with a museum shop, a vaulted cellar for events, and the restored former saltworks church as a space for special exhibitions were added; the renovated orangery has been used for exhibitions and events since 2003.

With further departments, the museum grew into the Museum Obere Saline: in 2007 the sections "Salz und Salzgewinnung" (Salt and Salt Production) and "Heilbad Kissingen" (Spa Town Kissingen) opened, in 2011 the toy world in the attic, and in 2016 the department "Weltbad Kissingen" (Kissingen, World Spa) on the heyday of the spa town between 1830 and 1930. Today the municipal museum offers about 1,400 square meters of exhibition space, changing special exhibitions, jazz concerts in the vaulted cellar, as well as Museum Night and the Saline Festival (Salinenfest).

Highlights

• Otto von Bismarck's originally furnished spa apartment
• More than a thousand years of salt production history in Kissingen
• Toy world with handmade toys from the Rhön and around the world
• Department "Weltbad Kissingen" on the heyday of the spa town
• Special exhibitions in the former saltworks church

Permanent exhibitions

• Bismarck-Museum – The Chancellor's original spa apartment and rooms on Bismarck's stays and politics in the world spa of Kissingen.
• Salz und Salzgewinnung – The history of salt production in Kissingen from the Carolingian era to 1968.
• Spielzeugwelt – In the attic: handmade toys from the Rhön and around the world as well as children's book illustrations.

Founded

1998

Operated by

Stadt Bad Kissingen

Admission & discounts

School classes €2 per student.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• 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

The special exhibition room in the former saltworks chapel, the toy world, and the department Weltbad Kissingen cannot be reached by wheelchair because of historic stairs without a ramp.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Kids’ birthday parties

Hands-on and holiday programs "MOSAIK" for children (€5 per participant, registration recommended), adventure tour "Bär Otto und die 3 Geheimnisse" (Otto the Bear and the Secrets) for families with children aged 6 to 11, and children's birthday parties (2 hours, max. 10 children).

Getting there & parking

GPS address: Obere Saline 20, 97688 Bad Kissingen. On foot or by bike via the Salinenpromenade along the Franconian Saale, approx. 2 to 3 km from the city center.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Museum café in the foyer during opening hours; Gartencafé Bunt from Easter to fall in good weather (Fri 15:00–18:00, Sat, Sun, and public holidays 11:00–18:00). Museum shop in the entrance area.

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit