Schlossmuseum Quedlinburg

About the museum

For centuries, the palace on Quedlinburg's Stiftsberg was the seat of a women's abbey (Damenstift), founded after the death of King Henry I in 936 by his widow Matilda and his son Otto I as a community dedicated to commemorating the king at his tomb. The abbey, which was subject directly to the emperor, was led by abbesses from high-ranking noble families and lasted a good 860 years until its dissolution in 1802. The three-wing complex combines building parts ranging from the Ottonian palace in the lower level through Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance phases to the abbess's Baroque state rooms.

Since 1929 the town of Quedlinburg has used the former living quarters and ceremonial rooms as a museum. It belongs to the Städtische Museen (municipal museums) and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site that the Stiftsberg and the old town became in 1994.

In February 2020 the museum closed for comprehensive renovation. The historic structures were restored in line with heritage requirements, elevators, ramps and a raised floor were installed, and the exhibition space was enlarged from around 1,300 to 2,300 square meters. The Black Kitchen and the garden house in the Baroque terraced garden were also restored, and the facade regained a light Baroque color scheme.

The newly conceived permanent exhibition opens on October 3, 2026. With more than 300 objects from the municipal collections and many media stations, it tells the story of the abbey, town and region from the perspective of the women who combined spiritual responsibility and secular rule here. Together with the collegiate church and the cathedral treasury, the museum forms a joint tour of the Stiftsberg.

Highlights

• New permanent exhibition with more than 300 original objects on the history of the women's abbey
• The abbess's 18th-century state apartment with audience hall and Blue Hall
• Remains of the Ottonian palace in the lower level
• Raubgrafenkasten – a 14th-century wooden display cage
• Merovingian gold disc brooch from Groß Orden
• Reconstructed Black Kitchen and Baroque terraced garden

Permanent exhibitions

• Mächtige Frauen. Schätze des Glaubens. Geschichte Europas – The new permanent exhibition traces more than a thousand years of abbey and town history from the perspective of the abbesses and canonesses. More than 300 objects, reconstructed room furnishings and media stations connect the historic rooms with the history of Europe.

Founded

1929

Operated by

Welterbestadt Quedlinburg (Städtische Museen)

Admission & discounts

Discounted opening prices until December 31, 2026; prices from 2027 not yet published. On opening day (October 3, 2026, 10:00–20:00), free admission to the Schlossmuseum, collegiate church and cathedral treasury.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• 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

Inside the museum, elevators, ramps and level adjustments provide access to almost all areas. The Stiftsberg itself can currently only be reached on foot via the Pastorentreppe staircase on the north side (town side: 66 steps, Stiftsberg side: 67 steps); a paid shuttle service up the hill is available by advance booking. High-contrast texts and audio stations, subtitled media stations; tours in sign language are planned.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly: not available

Children and young people up to age 18 have free admission. The lapdog "Nina" accompanies young guests through the exhibition. Because of the stairs up to the Stiftsberg, a baby carrier is recommended for babies instead of a stroller.

Getting there & parking

The Stiftsberg is currently reachable only on foot via the Pastorentreppe.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant

Historic inn "Schlosskrug" on the Stiftsberg (Tue–Thu 11:00–21:00, Fri–Sun 11:00–23:00).

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit