Museum zur Geschichte von Christen und Juden

About the museum

In the 19th century Laupheim had the largest Jewish community in Württemberg; from 1730 Jewish families had settled on the so-called Judenberg. After the deportation in 1942 this history was long met with silence, until initiatives from the town and contacts with survivors and descendants brought it back into awareness. These descendants contributed significantly to the founding of the museum, which is therefore also understood as a sign of reconciliation.

The town of Laupheim opened the museum in 1998 in Schloss Großlaupheim. The permanent exhibition was conceived and realized by the Haus der Geschichte Baden-Württemberg, which still works closely with the museum today. The work is accompanied by the Gesellschaft für Geschichte und Gedenken, founded in 1997, a friends' circle in existence since 2007, and an advisory board. Since 2021 the federal government has counted the museum among the culturally significant institutions of national importance.

In January 2024 the redesigned main section "Jüdische Beziehungsgeschichten" (Jewish Relationship Stories) opened. On three floors and around 800 square meters, it leads chronologically from the protection-money system through emancipation in 1864 and the Weimar era to exclusion, plunder, and deportation, as well as remembrance after 1945. Dedicated sections present Laupheim personalities, including Hollywood pioneer Carl Laemmle, banker Kilian von Steiner, Art Nouveau artist Friedrich Adler, and high jumper Gretel Bergmann. The museum also includes the Haus am jüdischen Friedhof, the former mortuary of the community.

Highlights

• Main section "Jüdische Beziehungsgeschichten" (new since 2024)
• Section on Carl Laemmle, founder of Universal Pictures
• Biographies of Gretel Bergmann, Friedrich Adler, Kilian von Steiner, and others
• Free audio guide with city walk
• Branch Haus am jüdischen Friedhof on the Judenberg

Permanent exhibitions

• Jüdische Beziehungsgeschichten – Chronological and thematic tour over three floors on the coexistence of the Christian majority and the Jewish minority in Laupheim – from settlement to the culture of remembrance after 1945.
• Menschen – Dedicated sections on Laupheim personalities such as Carl Laemmle, Kilian von Steiner, Friedrich Adler, Siegfried Einstein, and Gretel Bergmann; the tour ends with women's biographies.

Founded

1998

Operated by

Stadt Laupheim

Director

Michael Niemetz

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• 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

Currently not accessible because the elevator to the upper floors is being replaced.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Kids’ birthday parties

Regular programs for children and families, such as family afternoons, tours of the museum and palace, and films at the Laemmle cinema; children's birthday parties on request.

Getting there & parking

By car via the B 30 Ulm–Biberach to the Laupheim-Süd exit, then follow the signs for Schloss/Museum toward the center.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Schlosscafé in Schloss Großlaupheim; museum shop at the ticket desk.

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit