Stadt- und Burgmuseum Eppstein
Museum in the Mainz Palace (Mainzer Schloss) of Eppstein Castle, on the almost thousand-year history of the castle, with a multimedia tour of the grounds.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The castle above Eppstein's old town was the ancestral seat of the Lords of Eppstein, whose origins may go back to the 10th or 11th century. In the 15th century it was divided between Hesse and the Electorate of Mainz; from 1804, most of the buildings were demolished, and only the church remained standing. The ruin later became a popular motif for artists and a destination for excursions.
The museum was founded in 1908 in the “Bettelbub” tower of the outer bailey (Vorburg) and moved in 1926 into the only surviving building on the castle, the church in the Mainzer Schloss, which was last used by the Catholic congregation. Since 1929, the castle and the museum have belonged to the town of Eppstein. Between 1998 and 2002, the permanent exhibition was completely redesigned.
On the ground floor, finds, models, pictures and documents show the castle from the 10th century to 1802, with a bread oven and a large castle model from around 1750. The gallery (Empore) tells of the castle's decline into a ruin, of Romanticism and of the castle festival (Burgfestspiele) held since 1913, the oldest existing open-air theater in the Rhine-Main region. Virtual reconstructions and a multimedia guide link the museum with a tour of the grounds.
Highlights
- Castle history from the 10th century to 1802 with finds and models
- Large castle model from around 1750
- Historic bread oven used by the castle's residents
- Virtual reconstructions of the castle and multimedia guide
- Exhibition on the Eppstein castle festival since 1913
- Keep and dungeon in the “Bettelbub” tower
Permanent exhibitions
- Burgmuseum: Geschichte der Burg Eppstein – On the ground floor, finds, models and documents present the castle from the 10th century to 1802 as seat of rule, residence and fortress.
- Ruine, Romantik und Burgfestspiele – The gallery shows the castle's path to ruin, its depiction in art and the history of the castle festival held since 1913.
- Founded
- 1908
- Operated by
- Stadt Eppstein
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €2.50Children up to age 18, pupils and students (with ID) |
| Children & teens | €2.50Children and young people up to age 18. |
| Students & apprentices | €2.50With ID. |
| Guided tour (flat rate, plus admission) | €35Bookable at Tel. +49 6198 305-131 |
| Fairy tale tour for children aged 6 to 12 (plus admission) | €10 |
| Children's birthday party “Der Ritter lädt ein” (“The Knight Invites You”, plus admission) | €70For children aged 7 to 12, up to 12 children |
Admission covers the castle and the museum.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
- Kids’ birthday parties
Children's birthday parties for ages 7 to 12 with medieval games and explorations (2 hours, up to 12 children), children's tours for kindergartens and school classes, and fairy tale tours for ages 6 to 12.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
Parking at Rossertstraße, at the Stadtbahnhof (town rail station) and along the B 455.
A digital listening tour via app (about 1 km, ten stations) leads from the Stadtbahnhof to the castle.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
Castle café on the grounds (the knight's room can be booked for children's birthday parties).
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The multimedia guide with virtual reconstructions can be borrowed free of charge; 19 stations on the castle grounds are signposted in two languages. Guided tours for groups and children's tours for kindergartens and school classes (“Ritter Eppo lädt ein”, Knight Eppo invites you) can be booked. |
