Museum Viadrina

About the museum

The museum traces its origins to May 20, 1905, when around one hundred Frankfurt citizens purchased the patrician house Lienauhaus on Oderstraße. Three local societies – the Historisch-statistische Verein, the Verein für Naturwissenschaften, and the Kunstverein – contributed their collections. The later Oderlandmuseum displayed ceramics, pewter, coins, and natural history holdings, among other things; in 1945 the building burned down at the end of the war.

Since 1957 the museum has used the Junkerhaus, a building of national importance as a historic monument, set above medieval vaulted cellars. Princes of the Brandenburg ruling house and other young nobles once lived here while studying at Brandenburg's first state university, the Viadrina. A Baroque remodeling in the late 17th century gave the building the character of a small town palace; afterward the rooms served a variety of private and official purposes.

After German reunification, the museum also established the memorial and documentation site for the victims of political tyranny. The permanent exhibition in the Junkerhaus reopened after renovation in 2003. Today the museum, a division of the Kulturbetriebe Frankfurt (Oder), looks after more than 100,000 objects, photographs, and archival documents – including the Reka collection of historic musical instruments, archaeological finds from the old town, Frankfurt ceramics, and paintings and prints related to the city and region.

Highlights

• Baroque Junkerhaus, once the residence of princes studying at the Viadrina
• Frankfurt (Oder) as a medieval trading and Hanseatic city
• History of the Viadrina University
• Reka collection of historic musical instruments and Frankfurt's musical history
• Great-Grandma's Kitchen: a historic kitchen to try out

Permanent exhibitions

• Dauerausstellung im Junkerhaus – City and regional history from the medieval trading town through the Viadrina University, military and music history, up to the 20th century, presented in the Baroque Junkerhaus.
• Uromas Küche – A furnished kitchen from about 100 years ago with original furniture, dishes, and a cooking stove, where groups can try out the utensils themselves.

Founded

1905

Operated by

Kulturbetriebe Frankfurt (Oder), Eigenbetrieb der Stadt Frankfurt (Oder)

Director

Tim S. Müller

Admission & discounts

Free admission: International Museum Day and Frankfurt Museum Night

Free admission also for members of the friends' association, the Historischer Verein zu Frankfurt (Oder), the Museumsverband Brandenburg, the Deutscher Museumsbund, and ICOM, as well as for the press. Based on the 2026 fee schedule.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom
• 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

Two steps at the main entrance; step-free access via the side entrance in the courtyard (cobblestones). The first floor is accessible for wheelchair users; there are small steps between the exhibition rooms, and the upper floors can only be reached by stairs with a handrail. Accessible restroom across the courtyard; seating available to borrow.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Kids’ birthday parties

In "Great-Grandma's Kitchen," with furniture and a cooking stove from around 100 years ago, children aged 7 and up may try out kitchen utensils; also cooking, baking, and chocolate workshops. Museum scavenger hunt for ages 8 to 11, hand puppet workshop from age 6, also bookable as a children's birthday party. Admission is free for those under 18.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

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

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit