Schildbürger- und Gneisenaumuseum Schildau

About the museum

The museum opened on September 11, 1998, to mark the 400th anniversary of the Schildbürger book. The Schildau local history society (Geschichtsverein) set it up in just nine weeks in a townsman's house (Ackerbürgerhaus) on the market square, whose structure dates from the 18th century. It was regarded as a unique museum on this subject in the German-speaking world and was run by the society for 25 years.

After the society was dissolved, the town of Belgern-Schildau has run the museum since 2023 and is continuing the new concept that had been started. The museum is to become a museum for laughing and hands-on participation for all age groups; new exhibition rooms have already been created. A school project with third-graders from Schildau primary school provided recorded pranks for the exhibition.

The building has about nine exhibition rooms, plus an assembly and film room. Alongside the walk-through picture book about the Schildbürger's pranks, a separate exhibition is devoted to Gneisenau, who was born in Schildau in 1760 and later became known as a Prussian field marshal and military reformer; Schildau has carried the title "Gneisenaustadt" since 1952. The museum also shows books and a short biography of Schildau honorary citizen Ruth Kraft, as well as a collection of Schildbürger books.

Highlights

• Walk-through picture book of the Schildbürger's pranks
• Gneisenau exhibition at the field marshal's birthplace
• Collection of Schildbürger books
• Books and short biography of honorary citizen Ruth Kraft
• School tours with hands-on stations

Permanent exhibitions

• Museum der Schildbürger – A walk-through picture book tells the origins and pranks of the Schildbürger, suitable for young visitors too.
• Gneisenaumuseum – The exhibition at the birthplace of Field Marshal August Neidhardt von Gneisenau traces his life and work.

Founded

1998

Operated by

Stadt Belgern-Schildau

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

The museum is also well suited for young explorers and is being converted into a hands-on museum; school classes can take guided tours with hands-on stations.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the center of Schildau on the market square (Marktstraße 14).

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Items for sale in the museum.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit