Reichsgerichtsmuseum

About the museum

The Reichsgericht building on today's Simsonplatz was built from 1887 to 1895 as the seat of the Reichsgericht (Imperial Court), founded in Leipzig in 1879 as the highest court of the German Empire. After the Reichstag, it was the largest representative building of its time. Notable proceedings took place here, such as the high treason trial against Karl Liebknecht and, in 1933, the Reichstag fire trial.

After the Reichsgericht was dissolved in 1945, various institutions used the building. From 1952, the city's Museum der bildenden Künste (Museum of Fine Arts) was housed here. In the large courtroom, the Georgi-Dimitroff-Museum commemorated the Reichstag fire trial, and the state archive, the Institut für Länderkunde (Institute for Regional Studies) and the DEFA dubbing studios also worked in the building. After extensive renovation, the Federal Administrative Court moved in from Berlin in 2002.

On May 31, 2007, the Reichsgerichtsmuseum opened in the former courtroom I, run by the association Freundeskreis Reichsgerichtsmuseum im Bundesverwaltungsgericht. The exhibition "Das Reichsgerichtsgebäude und seine Nutzer", designed by museum professionals, is organized in four sections: the building's history from the architectural competition to the opening; the Reichsgericht from 1879 to 1945 with its presidents Eduard von Simson, Walter Simons and Erwin Bumke; its use during the Soviet occupation and in the GDR; and the history and move of the Federal Administrative Court. Lenders include the Stadtgeschichtliches Museum Leipzig, the Deutsches Historisches Museum, the Federal Court of Justice and the University of Leipzig. The wood-paneled courtroom with its judges' bench is itself part of the display.

Highlights

• Exhibition in the original wood-paneled courtroom I with the judges' bench
• Designs and detailed drawings of the building's construction
• Reichstag fire trial and high treason trial against Karl Liebknecht
• Dome hall, main staircase and gallery freely accessible

Permanent exhibition

• Das Reichsgerichtsgebäude und seine Nutzer – Four sections lead from the building's history through the Reichsgericht and its use in the GDR to the Federal Administrative Court.

Founded

2007

Operated by

Freundeskreis Reichsgerichtsmuseum im Bundesverwaltungsgericht e. V.

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

The museum and the publicly accessible parts of the building (dome hall, main staircase, gallery) are free of charge. External city tour providers offer paid building tours.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• 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

The building is barrier-free at the entrance (ramp in front of the main portal), and all floors can be reached by elevator.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Coat check
• Lockers

Large pieces of luggage and backpacks may not be taken into the building. Lockers and a cloakroom are in the entrance area (€1 deposit each, limited number). No cafeteria.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit