Museum Schloss Ehrenstein Ohrdruf

About the museum

Ehrenstein Palace was built between 1550 and 1590 on the orders of Count Georg II of Gleichen as a four-wing complex in the Renaissance style. It stands on a site that was fortified early: a refuge tower (Fliehturm) built into the north wing is regarded as the oldest structural remnant. For centuries a foundation stood on the site that is considered the first canons' foundation (Chorherrenstift) in Thuringia; it was rebuilt several times after fires and feuds. The mission of Boniface around 724 and the founding of an early monastery are also linked with Ohrdruf.

In 2013, a devastating fire destroyed the palace. After more than eight years of construction, the historic rooms have been restored and are now barrier-free. In addition to the museum, which is run as a palace and local heritage museum (Schloss- und Heimatmuseum), the building houses the tourist information office and the town library.

The exhibitions combine town history with surprising elements: in the "Kubus Magicus," the history of Ohrdruf plays as a film installation in a fully mirrored room. Further permanent exhibitions cover the Ohrdruf years of the young Johann Sebastian Bach, the geological history of the Muschelkalk sea with its fossils, and the town's toy and furniture makers, including rocking horses, Kewpie figures and tubular steel chairs by Erich Dieckmann.

Highlights

• Kubus Magicus: town history as a film installation in a 360-degree mirror room
• Bach's childhood and youth in Ohrdruf, with an original source on his school attendance
• Muschelkalk sea exhibition with ceratites and prehistoric creatures
• The world's largest number of tubular steel chairs by Erich Dieckmann
• Rocking horses and Kewpie figures made in Ohrdruf
• Rebuilt Renaissance palace, barrier-free with an elevator

Permanent exhibitions

• Musik im Mondschein – Bach in Ohrdruf – Johann Sebastian Bach's childhood and youth in Ohrdruf (1695–1700) and the Ohrdruf branch of the Bach family, with school enrollment register, listening station and an animated film about Bach's Capriccio BWV 992.
• Als Saurier durch Ohrdruf schwammen – Reise ins Muschelkalkmeer – Geology exhibition on the Upper Muschelkalk period, with a paved channel floor full of ceratites and replica prehistoric animals and plants.
• Mission Weltwirtschaft – vom Schaukelpferd zum Bauhausstuhl – Ohrdruf success stories around the toy manufacturer CEBASO, the Kewpie figures and the tubular steel furniture by Erich Dieckmann.

Founded

1933

Operated by

Stadt Ohrdruf

Admission & discounts

Guided tour of the museum: €50 per tour (up to 30 people), plus admission; combined tour of the town and museum: €100 plus admission.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• 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

According to the town of Ohrdruf, the rebuilt palace is fully barrier-free; there is an elevator.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

Timetable information for public transport is available via the route planner of VMT Thüringen.

Amenities & dining

The tourist information office and the town library are located in the palace.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Rooms in the palace can be rented for private celebrations and company events.

Plan your visit