Ostdeutsches Fahrzeugmuseum Benneckenstein
Private museum with East German cars, motorcycles, military equipment, toys, and everyday objects in a former clothing factory in Benneckenstein.
About the museum
The private museum is housed in a former East German workwear factory on the outskirts of Benneckenstein. The collection was assembled by the Tänzer family, who have run the museum since at least 2010; since the end of 2022 it has been managed by Mario Tänzer, who also offers tank and truck rides on the grounds.
The focus is on vehicles made in East Germany (GDR): Trabant and Wartburg cars, MZ and Simson motorcycles and mopeds, as well as trucks, buses, camping trailers, and camping gear. The collection is complemented by toys from 1949 to 1989, relics of the gas station company Minol, everyday objects, and military equipment – several thousand objects in total.
The outdoor area features, among other things, a MiG-21 fighter jet, a Mitropa dining car serving typical East German dishes, and the last surviving radar dome from the Brocken. In fall 2025, the first piece of wreckage arrived from the imperial German submarine U 16, built in 1911, which is to be shown at the museum in the future.
Highlights
- More than 50 cars and 70 motorcycles, mostly made in East Germany, including Trabant, Wartburg, Simson, and MZ
- Large collection of East German toys
- Minol gas station, camping trailers, and camping gear
- Outdoor area with a MiG-21, a Mitropa dining car, and the last surviving radar dome from the Brocken
- Tank and truck rides on the museum’s own grounds
- Operated by
- MT’s Panzerfahren (Inhaber Mario Tänzer)
Admission & discounts
Museum admission prices are not published on the website. Tank driving (drive yourself from age 18 with a car driver’s license; younger visitors can ride along) is a separate paid offering, also available as a gift voucher.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Benneckenstein station on the Harzquerbahn (Harzer Schmalspurbahnen narrow-gauge railroad) nearby.
Amenities & dining
- Restaurant
Food and drink in the historic MITROPA dining car on the grounds (including homemade solyanka).
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | Tank rides and self-driving by request or reservation; no tank driving on Sundays and public holidays. A veterans’ meetup takes place at the museum every year on October 3. |
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