Museum Kirche in Franken

About the museum

The Windsheim citizen Konrad Förster founded a Holy Spirit hospital in 1318 for needy citizens of the imperial city; between 1416 and 1421 the Spitalkirche was built in close connection with it. After the Reformation it was remodeled for Protestant worship, including galleries from 1578 and a pulpit by the woodcarver Georg Brenck from 1622.

When the church was no longer needed for services, it found a new purpose: in 2006 the Museum Kirche in Franken opened here, the first church museum within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria. It is run by the Bezirk Mittelfranken (Middle Franconia district) together with the regional church, the county, the town, and friends' associations; it forms the Town building group of the Franconian Open-Air Museum in the old town.

The building itself is the most important exhibit. The ground floor deals with late medieval piety, the Reformation, and the formation of denominations, including the Windsheim Confession Picture of 1601. The galleries are devoted to confirmation, Pietism, diaconal work, mission, and the church history of the 20th century, as well as church music with an almost unaltered Steinmeyer organ from 1888. The tour ends in the bell-ringing room and roof truss with models of historic church roofs.

Annually changing special exhibitions, guided tours, and hands-on programs round out the offering; storks regularly nest on the church roof.

Highlights

• Late Gothic Spitalkirche of 1416–1421 as the main exhibit
• Windsheim Confession Picture of 1601 and pulpit by Georg Brenck
• Steinmeyer organ of 1888 on the second gallery
• Tour up to the bell-ringing room and medieval roof truss
• Stork nest on the church roof

Permanent exhibitions

• Kirche in Franken im Wandel der Zeit – From the late medieval chancel through the Reformation, Pietism, and diaconal work to the present, the exhibition tells the history of Franconian Protestantism.
• Kirchenmusik, Läutstube und Dachstuhl – On the second gallery the organ and instruments are the focus; after that, the tour continues to the bell chamber and roof structure with models of historic church roofs.

Founded

2006

Operated by

Bezirk Mittelfranken (Fränkisches Freilandmuseum)

Director

Dr. Janette Witt

Admission & discounts

The ticket is also valid for the Alter Bauhof, Kräuter-Apotheke (herbal pharmacy), and medieval craftsmen's houses of the Town building group. Free admission including for members of ICOM, the German Museums Association, and the Förderverein Spitalkirche.

Accessibility

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

The museum is suitable for visits with wheelchairs and strollers; accessible restroom in the Spitalkirche. The way up to the roof truss involves steps. Assessed in 2021 together with the open-air museum under "Reisen für Alle" (Travel for All). Guide dogs welcome.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly

Bookable hands-on tours for families and daycare groups, such as the voyage of discovery "Auf Schatzsuche" (Treasure Hunt) through the church museum. Partial family ticket for one adult with children. The stork nest on the roof can be watched via webcam.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the old town of Bad Windsheim, separate from the main grounds of the open-air museum. Access via the A 7 (exit Bad Windsheim) or via the A 73/B 8 and Langenzenn.

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