Schlossmuseum Bad Iburg
Archaeology and coin cabinet in Schloss Iburg: finds on the over 1000-year history of the castle, the bishop's residence, and the Benedictine monastery.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Iburg was founded in the 11th century by Bishop Benno II of Osnabrück and developed into a twin complex: until 1673 it served as the residence of the prince-bishops, and alongside it stood the Benedictine monastery of St. Clemens until its secularization in 1803. Sophie Charlotte, later the first queen of Prussia, was also born here. Today various state authorities, the local court (Amtsgericht), and the police use the palace.
The Schlossmuseum opened in its present form in 2002, run by the Schlossverein Iburg e. V. (palace association). Since the redesign in 2018, a media table and listening stations complement the exhibition. It shows finds from the excavations of the Osnabrück city and district archaeology department, including medieval writing styluses, abbots' crosiers, pottery, and floor tiles.
At the center is a model of the complex as it was around 1600. In the monastery area, more than 50 burials were uncovered, including five abbots' graves. An attached small coin cabinet shows coins and medals from 800 years of coinage history in the Osnabrück region.
Highlights
- Model of the Iburg around 1600
- Archaeological finds from castle and monastery
- Media table and listening stations
- Coin cabinet on the coinage history of Osnabrück
- Children's palace tour "Zu Gast beim Ritterbischof Benno" (Guest of the Knight Bishop Benno)
Permanent exhibitions
- Befestigung, Bischofsresidenz, Kloster – archäologische Forschungen auf der Iburg – Finds from the excavations on the Schlossberg show how the castle and monastery developed; the central object is a model of the complex around 1600.
- Münzkabinett: 800 Jahre Münzgeschichte des Osnabrücker Landes – Coins and medals document the monetary history of the region over eight centuries.
- Founded
- 2002
- Operated by
- Schlossverein Iburg e. V.
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €4 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3.50 |
| Combination ticket palace tour + Schlossmuseum | €7.50Reduced €6.50 |
The regular palace tour costs €6 (reduced €5.50).
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
Children's palace tour "Zu Gast beim Ritterbischof Benno" with armor and a wooden sword; accompanying adults are responsible for supervision.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Weser-Ems-Bus lines 465 and 466 from Osnabrück; train to Osnabrück Hbf, then onward by bus (from the direction of Bielefeld with the "Haller Willem" to Oesede and then by bus).
By car
In the city area there are 17 parking areas with over 1,000 spaces (parking plan from the tourist information). Tour buses use the free bus parking at the Baumwipfelpfad (Philipp-Sigismund-Allee 3–4).
By car via the A 30, exit Osnabrück-Nahne/Bad Iburg, then via the B 51 (about 13 km); from the south via the A 1, exit Lengerich.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 1.5 hrs |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Group tour "Schloss und Schlossmuseum" (including the coin cabinet): about 90 minutes, up to 20 people, €110, meeting point at the Schlossmuseum; booking through the tourist information (phone, email, or booking form). Regular palace tours on Saturdays and Sundays at 15:00, and from April to October also on Fridays. Tours in English and Dutch on request. |
