Salzlandmuseum

About the museum

The museum was founded on the initiative of the Society for Prehistory and Local History, established in February 1924. As early as September of that year, the museum opened in two attic rooms of the former Pestalozzi School. Key to its rapid growth was Wolfgang Wanckel, a shipowner and port owner from Schönebeck, who carried out his own archaeological excavations and later took over its management.

As the collection kept growing, the former town hall of Salzelmen was converted into a museum in 1954. The southern part of the building dates from before 1400, and the clock bell is dated to 1428.

Following restoration work since the 2000s, three new permanent exhibitions were created between 2014 and 2016: on the salt history of the region, on river shipping on the Elbe, Saale, and Bode, and on the Pömmelte ring sanctuary with original finds. From 2021 to 2024, the building's facade was extensively renovated. The museum of the Salzland district (Salzlandkreis) now holds around 60,000 objects from art, cultural history, natural history, and technology; its holdings on inland navigation and salt history are considered particularly significant.

Highlights

• Historic town hall of Salzelmen with parts dating from before 1400
• Exhibition "Salzspu(e)ren" on salt production in the region
• Exhibition "LebensStröme" on shipping on the Elbe, Saale, and Bode
• Original finds from the Pömmelte ring sanctuary
• Around 60,000 collection objects

Permanent exhibitions

• Salzspu(e)ren – The history of salt production from the brine springs in Groß Salze to industrial processing, and its influence on prosperity and the townscape.
• LebensStröme – The Elbe, Saale, and Bode as a habitat and trade route – from rafts and cogs to the steamship and the daily life of the boatmen.
• Ringheiligtum Pömmelte – Original finds from the roughly 4,300-year-old circular ditch enclosure near Pömmelte offer insight into the cult and burial practices of the Neolithic and Bronze Age.

Founded

1924

Operated by

Salzlandkreis

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: no information
• 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 entrance and exhibition rooms are not accessible; a stair-climbing device is available on request.

Kids & families

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

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Wi-Fi: not available

Museum shop with books, souvenirs, salt products, and brine candies. No free Wi-Fi.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 90 guests.

The gallery hall is rented out for readings, concerts, lectures, and other events and is used for civil wedding ceremonies with up to 90 guests; a smaller room holds ceremonies with up to 10 people.

Plan your visit