Schwäbisches Turmuhrenmuseum

About the museum

The teacher Wolfgang Vogt founded the Schwäbisches Turmuhrenmuseum in 1979 in the former Silvesterkapelle in the center of Mindelheim. The chapel was endowed in 1409 on the commission of Duchess Anna of Teck and has a 48-meter-high tower. With about 50 tower clocks from the period 1562 to 1978 as well as pocket watches, pendulum clocks, and sundials, the collection is considered the oldest and most extensive of its kind in Germany. That Mindelheim was associated with timekeepers early on is shown by a clockmaker mentioned in 1414.

The museum is anything but quiet: clockworks tick, levers drop into place, a flute clock plays, and a historic bell is rung by hand. On display are works by well-known tower clockmakers from the Allgäu and Swabia, an astronomical clock built by a Franciscan friar in the 18th century for Füssen, a mechanical precision tower clock that was considered the most accurate in Bavaria for decades, and a replica of an astronomical clock of 1529. On tours, visitors also climb the tower in stages.

For the 25th anniversary in 2004, the "Kapell-Uhr" went into operation in the chapel tower; with its pendulum of a good 26 meters, it was then the longest in the world. For further anniversaries, the museum set up a replica of an ancient water clock on the Marienplatz in 2014 and, in 2019, the restored tower clock of 1872 from the parish church at the Oberes Tor. The museum is one of the municipal Mindelheim museums and is run by volunteers.

Highlights

• About 50 tower clocks from the period 1562 to 1978
• Kapell-Uhr with a pendulum over 26 meters long in the tower
• Astronomical clock by a Franciscan friar from Füssen (18th century)
• Precision tower clock, once the most accurate in Bavaria
• Replica of an astronomical clock of 1529
• Tower climb as part of guided tours

Permanent exhibitions

• Schwäbisches Turmuhrenmuseum – Working tower clocks from five centuries, precision and astronomical clocks, and small clocks in the former Silvesterkapelle and its tower.

Founded

1979

Operated by

Stadt Mindelheim

Director

Veronika Vogt

Admission & discounts

Uniform admission prices for the Mindelheim museums; the annual pass is valid only for the Museen im Colleg.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• 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

According to the Mindelheim museums, the museum is partially wheelchair-accessible.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

The museum explicitly sees itself as an experience for children and young people as well: many clockworks run, strike, and chime audibly.

Getting there & parking

Via the A 96, exit Mindelheim, toward the town center and then follow the signs to the museums.

Amenities & dining

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

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit