Portal zur Geschichte

About the museum

The Klosterhügel Brunshausen is considered the nucleus of the Gandersheim women's foundation, founded in 852 by the Ottonian ancestors Liudolf and Oda. Later Benedictine nuns lived here, and in the 14th and 15th centuries the Gothic abbey church was built over the foundations of several earlier buildings.

Between 1713 and 1726, Princess-Abbess Elisabeth Ernestine Antonie of Saxe-Meiningen had the western monastery wing converted into a baroque summer palace. There she housed her collections of art and natural objects. Parts of the colored wall paintings, with motifs such as Egyptian pyramids, Isfahan and Rome, have survived to this day.

In 2002, committed citizens of Bad Gandersheim, together with the town and the collegiate church congregation, founded the sponsoring association Portal zur Geschichte e.V., which aims to preserve and show the relics of the imperial abbey. Since 2007, the abbey church and the summer palace have been the central exhibition venues. The association also looks after the collegiate church in town and offers tours, creative programs for children, school programs and weddings.

Highlights

• Baroque summer palace of the princess-abbess with surviving wall paintings
• Gothic abbey church on the Klosterhügel Brunshausen
• Exhibition "Barocke Sammelleidenschaft" on art and natural history collections of the 18th century
• Exhibition on women in the abbey and precious textiles
• Creative workshops and children's birthday parties

Permanent exhibitions

• Barocke Sammelleidenschaft – Sommerschloss Brunshausen – Wall paintings, paintings, books and natural objects show how the princess-abbess collected and presented in the 18th century.
• Klosterkirche Brunshausen – The Gothic church shows the life of women in the abbey and precious textiles.

Founded

2007

Operated by

Portal zur Geschichte e.V.

Admission & discounts

The price of €3 applies to the permanent exhibition without a special exhibition. Public guided tours cost an additional €5 per person (reduced €4).

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• 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

Step-free access to the building and the exhibitions, elevator, accessible toilet, seating, and offerings for visually impaired visitors.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Kids’ birthday parties

Creative offers for children, families and school classes: making plant dyes, painting with plant dyes, bookbinding, and writing with quill and ink (each about 3 hours, €100 per group of up to 10 children, plus material costs). Children's birthday parties and Ferienpass (holiday pass) activities are possible.

Getting there & parking

The museum is on the Klosterhügel Brunshausen, Brunshausen 7, 37581 Bad Gandersheim. Own parking lot available.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop on site.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Weddings / ceremonies

Weddings in the Brunshausen summer palace; individual offers and prices on request by email.

Plan your visit