Schloßbergmuseum Chemnitz

About the museum

Around 1136, a Benedictine monastery was founded on a hill north of what would later become the city of Chemnitz, endowed by Emperor Lothar III. St. Mary's Monastery lasted nearly four centuries; the complex owes its present form mainly to the late Gothic expansion around 1500. Surviving elements include a Romanesque apse and parts of the early Gothic east wing.

With the Reformation, the monastery was dissolved and passed to the Saxon sovereign. Around 1548/49, the buildings were converted into a Renaissance palace that served as an administrative seat and hunting lodge. In the 18th century the complex passed into private ownership and became a popular destination for excursions from Chemnitz.

At the end of the 1920s, the city handed the palace over to the Verein für Chemnitzer Geschichte (Chemnitz history society) for use as a museum; the municipal museum opened here in 1931. After war damage and a lengthy renovation, the museum was redesigned and reopened in 1995. Today it is part of the Kunstsammlungen Chemnitz.

The exhibitions combine the city's history from the Middle Ages to the 20th century with a significant collection of late Gothic sacred sculpture in Saxony, including the Holy Sepulchre from Chemnitz's St. James' Church. A lapidarium displays stone architectural elements and tombs.

Highlights

• Former Benedictine monastery with late Gothic and Renaissance rooms
• Gothic sculpture in Saxony, including the Holy Sepulchre from St. James' Church
• Picture hall on Chemnitz's city history in the former dormitory
• Lapidarium with portals and tombs
• Tactile city models showing the development of Chemnitz

Permanent exhibitions

• Bildersaal Chemnitzer Geschichte – Paintings, textiles, jewelry, and everyday objects from the 12th to the 20th century tell the story of the city in the monks' former dormitory.
• Gotische Skulptur in Sachsen – Late medieval sacred sculptures in the monastery rooms, including the Chemnitz Holy Sepulchre.
• Lapidarium – Stone architectural elements, portals, and tombs from the Middle Ages, Renaissance, and Baroque in a separate single-story building.

Founded

1931

Operated by

Stadt Chemnitz / Kunstsammlungen Chemnitz

Director

Thomas Schuler

Admission & discounts

Free admission also on your own birthday, for Chemnitzpass holders, and for companions of school groups (one per five children).

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: not available
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Accessible entry to service areas and the permanent exhibition; elevator available. People with reduced mobility may park directly in front of the museum (access via Salzstraße, use the gate intercom). Tactile city models and tactile floor plans. An accessible restroom is located in the neighboring restaurant. Guide dogs and therapy dogs welcome.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly: not available
• Kids’ birthday parties: not available

Family tour every 3rd Sunday of the month, followed by a studio session (admission plus materials fee). Hands-on programs in the summer holidays, such as baking bread in a field oven. Free puzzle booklets, including one featuring "Benni the Benedictine" through the former monastery. Strollers are not allowed in the exhibition rooms; the Kunstsammlungen offer children's birthday parties at other venues.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Publications, postcards, and posters at the museum ticket desk. Large bags, umbrellas, strollers, and food and drinks are not permitted in the exhibition rooms.

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit