Museum Schloss Bernburg

Current exhibitions

About the museum

Schloss Bernburg sits high on a sandstone ridge above the Saale river. The castle is first mentioned in 961, when Otto I gave it to the Moritzkloster monastery in Magdeburg; in the 16th century the princes of Anhalt expanded it into a Renaissance palace. Its most famous feature is the colorfully painted “Leuchte” (oriel) on the Wolfgangbau wing, with portraits of the Reformation princes. Since the 17th century, the Romanesque keep has been called the Eulenspiegelturm, because according to legend the prankster Till Eulenspiegel served here as a tower trumpeter.

The museum goes back to the Bernburg antiquarian society founded in 1877, whose mainly archaeological collection was shown in the town hall from 1893. After 1945 it moved into the palace, into the Altes Haus and the Krummes Haus. Under its long-serving director Ottomar Träger (1952–1992), contemporary art from central Germany and an exhibition on the history of mills were added.

After extensive renovation and redesign from 2018 to 2023, the museum reopened on June 24, 2023. The permanent exhibition spans 243 million years – from dinosaur tracks in the Muschelkalk limestone and finds from the Baalberge and Bernburg cultures, which are named after local sites, to the history of the residence and of industry. The museum also includes the Eulenspiegelturm and the kunsthalle bernburg in the former riding hall; it is operated by BFG-Bernburger Freizeit GmbH.

Highlights

• Dinosaur tracks from the Muschelkalk limestone near Bernburg
• Vessels of the Neolithic Bernburg culture, named after the town
• The Lehmer tankard with Anhalt coins
• Eulenspiegelturm with domed hall and tower keeper’s room (147 steps)
• Renaissance “Leuchte” oriel on the Wolfgangbau wing

Permanent exhibitions

• Dauerausstellung: 243 Millionen Jahre Geschichte – A tour from dinosaur tracks and Stone Age finds through the princely residence of Anhalt to the history of the town and its industry on the Saale.

Founded

1893

Operated by

BFG-Bernburger Freizeit GmbH

Director

Sven-Hinrich Siemers

Admission & discounts

10% discount on regular admission with the Bernburger Stadtwerke CARD. Free admission with the BernburgPlusCard or a press card, and for members of the Museumsbund and ICOM/ICOMOS, among others; with the WelterbeCard, the Eulenspiegelturm is free.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description: no information

Step-free access via the palace courtyard; doorbell to the left of the museum door. The Altes Haus and Krummes Haus can be reached by elevator, the Blauer Turm only by stairs. A narrow indoor wheelchair can be borrowed; seating throughout the exhibition. The Eulenspiegelturm (147 steps) and the lecture room in the Osttorhaus are not accessible. Audio guide in Easy Language (Leichte Sprache).

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Baby changing facilities
• Kids’ birthday parties

Children's audio guide with Till Eulenspiegel and Mathilde (ages 5 and up, about 50 minutes). Individual tour programs for children's groups, also for birthday parties. Baby changing table in the accessible restroom in the basement.

Getting there & parking

By car via the exit Bernburg-West (A 14/A 36). Bicycle parking in front of the museum.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Lockers

Museum shop in the entrance area. Lockers at ground level.

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit