Birthplace of the first Reich President in Heidelberg's Old Town: exhibition on Friedrich Ebert and the Weimar Republic, free admission.
June 12, 2026 – October 11, 2026
Photographs by Jupp Darchinger, who documented politics and society in the Bonn Republic for decades – an adapted version of the anniversary show of the LVR-Landesmuseum Bonn, with well-known and rarely shown images.
October 23, 2026 – April 4, 2027
An anniversary show on four decades of the foundation's work: how the birthplace apartment became a place of remembrance, research and civic education, with unpublished photos, interviews and exhibits.
Friedrich Ebert was born on February 4, 1871, in a small three-room apartment on Heidelberg's Pfaffengasse, where the family of a master tailor lived with up to eight people. As early as 1962, the roughly 45-square-meter birthplace apartment was opened as a place of remembrance. In 1984 the City of Heidelberg acquired the entire property.
In December 1986 the Bundestag passed the law establishing the Stiftung Reichspräsident-Friedrich-Ebert-Gedenkstätte; the federal foundation has existed since January 1, 1987. On February 11, 1989, the Friedrich-Ebert-Haus opened with an exhibition on the life and times of the Social Democrat; an extension was added in 1996.
The current permanent exhibition "Vom Arbeiterführer zum Reichspräsidenten" (From Labor Leader to Reich President) was fundamentally revised and reopened in 2007. In ten rooms it traces Ebert's path from his childhood through the labor movement, the German Empire, World War I and the revolution to his presidency in the Weimar Republic. In addition to special exhibitions, traveling exhibitions and events, the foundation conducts research and civic education work; in May 2026 it welcomed its two-millionth visitor.
Admission is free.
| Adults | free |
|---|
Admission, audio guide and guided tours are free. The exhibition booklet in Easy Language (Leichte Sprache) can be borrowed free of charge or bought for €5.
According to the foundation, largely wheelchair-accessible; elevators in the foyer and stairwell lead to the permanent exhibition and the birthplace apartment. Seating and mobile stools available, assistance dogs allowed. Exhibition booklet in Easy Language; content in sign language announced on the website.
Great for kids & families
Children's audio guide with Nelly the fabric carnation (approx. 30 min., on your own smartphone), digital museum rally with 20 stations for elementary school children, coloring book and craft template for 5- to 10-year-olds. Strollers and baby carriers are allowed in the exhibition.
Bus 31, 32, 33 and 35 to Marstallstraße, Alte Brücke, Universitätsplatz or Rathaus/Bergbahn; S-Bahn to Heidelberg-Altstadt.
Parking available
The signposted parking garages Kornmarkt/Schloss, Karlsplatz/Rathaus and Unibibliothek are recommended.
Bike racks a few meters from the building in the direction of the Neckar.
Get directionsMuseum shop with books and souvenirs; free Wi-Fi for the audio guide. No café; food and drink permitted in the inner courtyard.
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes (DE, EN, FR, IT, ES) |
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Photography and filming for private purposes permitted, without flash or tripod; commercial photography only with prior permission. |
| Good to know | Audio guide as a web app on your smartphone. Themed tours for adults, programs for daycare centers, schools and families, as well as intercultural programs – free of charge, registration at least five days in advance. Public guided tours of the special exhibitions. |
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