Museum Reichenfels

About the museum

The Museum Reichenfels houses the collections of the Vogtländischer Altertumsforschender Verein (Vogtland Association for Antiquarian Research), founded in 1825 in Hohenleuben as one of Germany's oldest history associations. For 125 years, the finds and the growing library were first housed in Hohenleuben Castle and later in a former tenant farmhouse on the grounds of Reichenfels Castle. The association began planning its own building in 1938; it was not completed until 1950, when the house opened on February 1 as a district local history museum.

After German reunification, responsibility lay with the town of Hohenleuben; since 2016 the association has again run the museum itself. The permanent exhibition presents the castle and administrative unit of Reichenfels with Hohenleuben as its main town, and shows finds from prehistory and early history that rank among the most important in eastern Thuringia. Further displays include sacred and craft objects, rural tools, and coin, seal and natural history collections with animals, rocks, minerals and fossils.

Another focus is the legends of the Vogtland, such as those about the peasant general Georg Kresse. The scholarly library holds more than 40,000 volumes on the history of the Vogtland and the local history of the German-speaking world.

Highlights

• One of the most important prehistory and early history collections in eastern Thuringia
• History of Reichenfels Castle and its administrative unit
• Natural history and geology of the Vogtland
• Legends of the Vogtland, including Georg Kresse
• "Museum to go" museum trunk for groups

Permanent exhibitions

• Ur- und Frühgeschichte der Region – Finds from the prehistory of the Vogtland, among the most important collections in eastern Thuringia.
• Burg und Pflege Reichenfels – History of the castle and administrative unit of Reichenfels, with Hohenleuben as the main town, plus seal, coin and craft collections.
• Naturkunde, Geologie und Sagen – Local wildlife, rocks, minerals and fossils, and legends of the Vogtland, including those about the peasant general Georg Kresse.

Founded

1950

Operated by

Vogtländischer Altertumsforschender Verein zu Hohenleuben e. V.

Director

Antje Dunse

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

The Taufengel (baptismal angel) Gabriel guides children through the museum. There are museum quizzes, the Georg Kresse treasure hunt and holiday programs (register at the museum). Family ticket: €12.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop with literature on regional history, hiking guides, minerals and jewelry.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit