Rheinmuseum Emmerich

About the museum

The Rheinmuseum emerged in 1964 from a local history museum whose beginnings go back to 1899. Since then it has been based in the Kulturhaus on Martinikirchgang, opposite the Emmerich town hall and between the Protestant Christuskirche and the collegiate church of St. Martini. At first the museum occupied only the two upper floors; when the town library moved out in 1982, the first floor was added for lectures and changing exhibitions.

Until 1994 the operation was in the hands of the town of Emmerich, after which the Emmericher Geschichtsverein (local history society) took over the sponsorship. Since then the house has been run largely by volunteers, from supervision and reception to the tours.

In content, the museum combines two focal points: shipping on the Lower Rhine and the history of the Hanseatic town of Emmerich, which was almost completely destroyed in the Second World War. On three floors in nine rooms and on an outdoor area, more than 150 models show technical development from the dugout canoe through towed barges, steam tugs and motor cargo ships to the modern push convoy. Further rooms are devoted to transport routes, Rhine fishing and underwater work.

Among the most striking exhibits are a one-man submarine of the Biber type, deployed in 1944, which was recovered from the Rhine in 1958 and has been in the museum since 2000, and the large figure of Saint Christopher from the former Christoffeltor. The wheelhouse of a Rhine passenger ship, working radar systems and a ship simulator make the workplace on the river tangible.

Highlights

• More than 150 ship models on the history of Rhine shipping
• Original one-man submarine of the Biber type from 1944
• Larger-than-life figure of Saint Christopher from the former Christoffeltor
• Wheelhouse of a Rhine passenger ship, radar systems and ship simulator
• Departments on Rhine fishing and on the history of the town of Emmerich

Permanent exhibitions

• Entwicklung der Rheinschifffahrt – Models and original parts trace the path from the dugout canoe through sailing and steamships to motor cargo ships and push convoys.
• Fischerei und Fischfang – Fish specimens, fishing gear and accounts tell of the once important fishing industry on the Lower Rhine.
• Stadtgeschichte Emmerich – Townscapes from the 17th century to today, a town model, Delft faience and everyday objects from around 1900 show the development of the town on the river.

Founded

1964

Operated by

Emmericher Geschichtsverein e.V.

Director

Herbert Kleipaß

Visitors per year

approx. 5,500 (2018)

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Every first Sunday of the month; also on the Kreis Klever KulTourtage and on International Museum Day.

Kindergartens and school classes have free admission.

Accessibility

• Partially 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

Accessible entrance via a ramp (1.15 m wide); an elevator leads to the second floor with the ship models. The first floor and second floor are reachable without steps.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

The museum explicitly sees itself as a destination for families as well; there is a family ticket for €8. Picnicking is possible in the museum's outdoor area, and a playground is in the nearby Rheinpark on the Rhine promenade.

Getting there & parking

By car from the motorway toward the town center, Geistmarkt, Martinikirchgang.

Amenities & dining

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

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit