Museum Weißenfels
City museum in Schloss Neu-Augustusburg with a large shoe museum, an exhibition on the Duchy of Saxe-Weißenfels, the palace church, and the princely crypt.
About the museum
The museum's roots go back to a natural history and antiquities society founded in 1874. In 1910 the municipal museum opened in rooms of the former Poor Clares convent; even then the shoe industry, for which Weißenfels was known, was among its themes. In 1950 the collection moved to a former teacher training college and in 1964 finally to Schloss Neu-Augustusburg.
The early Baroque palace was the residence of the dukes of Saxe-Weißenfels, who held court here from 1657 to 1746. A dedicated exhibition recalls this era; the complex also includes the palace church of St. Trinitatis with its Förner organ and the princely crypt with 38 coffins of pewter and wood.
The centerpiece is the shoe museum with around 13,000 objects from five centuries – from courtly footwear and ethnographic pieces from Asia, Africa, and the Middle East to samples from East German production and shoemaking machinery. Further collection highlights include Vivat ribbons and cast iron art. The city history from 1757 to 1871, with the Seven Years' War, the Battle of Rossbach, and industrialization, completes the tour.
Highlights
- Shoe museum with around 13,000 objects
- Exhibition on the residence of the dukes of Saxe-Weißenfels
- Palace church of St. Trinitatis with Förner organ
- Princely crypt with 38 pewter and wooden coffins
- Free admission every last Wednesday of the month
Permanent exhibitions
- Schuhmuseum – Around 13,000 shoes and objects from five centuries, from courtly and ethnographic footwear to the East German shoe industry and manufacturing machinery.
- Herzogtum Sachsen-Weißenfels – The era of the Weißenfels dukes, who used the palace as a residence from 1657 to 1746.
- Stadtgeschichte 1757–1871 – From the Seven Years' War and the Battle of Rossbach to industrialization and lignite mining.
- Founded
- 1910
- Operated by
- Stadt Weißenfels
- Director
- Dr. Manuel Schwarz
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €6 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €4Students, trainees, benefit recipients, people with disabilities, and others |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 18 · Children and young people up to age 18 free. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €4Reduced admission. |
| Students & apprentices | €4 |
| Groups (10+ people) | –Group tour (90 minutes, up to 20 people): €90 flat fee plus admission, outside opening hours €180; minimum group size 10 people. |
| Princely crypt (last Saturday of the month) | €6Per person |
| Short tour of the large palace (surcharge) | €3Plus admission; children and young people up to age 18 €1. |
| Children's birthday party (up to 10 children + 2 companions) | €60Plus fees |
Free admission: Free for all visitors every last Wednesday of the month.
Admission covers the museum and the palace church.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: not available
- Elevator: not available
- Accessible restroom: not available
- Accessible parking: not available
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: not available
- Sign language tours: not available
- Easy-to-read materials: not available
- Audio description: no information
Palace entrance via 3 steps, palace church via 5 steps; exhibitions on the upper floors without an elevator, short ramps within the floors. Audio guide also usable for visually impaired guests, tours for people with visual impairments by arrangement. No induction loop, no loan wheelchair. Certified under "Reisen für Alle" (accessibility information).
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 18 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Kids’ birthday parties
Children's birthday parties with themes such as knights, princesses, or wizards. Strollers can be borrowed.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Schloss · 200 m
Bus to the "Schloss" stop.
By car
Parking available · 100 m to the entrance
From the parking lot about 100 m to the palace entrance and 30 m to the palace church; no designated accessible parking spaces.
- Accessible parking: not available
Due to construction work, the palace forecourt and parts of the palace terrace are expected to have restricted access until the end of 2030.
Get directionsAmenities & 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
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 45 min |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes |
| Good to know | "Short tour of the large palace" (45 minutes) Wednesdays and Fridays at 13:00 by registration, for 5 or more people. Tours of the palace church (30 minutes) and the shoe museum (45 minutes), also in English on request. Group tours (90 minutes) by advance registration. |
