Stadtgeschichtliches Museum Spandau

Current exhibitions

About the museum

The Stadtgeschichtliches Museum Spandau is housed in the Zeughaus (arsenal) of the Spandau Citadel, a 19th-century building that once stored weapons and uniforms. Cultural use of the citadel grew after World War II; in 1960 the Spandau local history museum moved into the Palas. Today the Kulturamt (cultural office) of the Spandau district administration runs the museums on the grounds.

The permanent exhibition "Spannendes Spandau" on the first floor gives an overview of the history of the Havel city, which has belonged to Berlin only since 1920. More than 300 objects tell of the settlement and development of Spandau. Popular pieces include a roadworthy Hudson Essex and a collection of historic Siemens small electrical appliances, which bear witness to Spandau's industry of the 1920s, as well as film props from the studios once based here and the recipe book of a long-established bakery family.

The Zeughaus also offers space for special exhibitions. A branch of the museum is in the Gotisches Haus (Gothic House) in Spandau's old town; the museum's archive is in the roof of the Palas.

Highlights

• Permanent exhibition "Spannendes Spandau" with over 300 objects
• Roadworthy Hudson Essex as evidence of Spandau's industry
• Historic Siemens small electrical appliances
• Film props from studios once based in Spandau
• One ticket also covers the Julius Tower and the other museums of the citadel

Permanent exhibition

• Spannendes Spandau – The permanent exhibition on the first floor of the Zeughaus shows, with over 300 objects, Spandau's history from early settlement through industrialization to the present.

Operated by

Bezirksamt Spandau von Berlin, Fachbereich Kultur

Director

Dr. Urte Evert

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Citadel Sunday: free admission on selected Sundays (dates in the citadel's events calendar).

Admission includes all the museums, the Julius Tower and the citadel's exhibitions. Discount with the Berlin WelcomeCard; free admission for holders of the Ehrenamtskarte Berlin-Brandenburg (volunteer card) and for members of ICOM and the Deutscher Museumsbund (German Museums Association), among others, with proof. For major events in the inner courtyard, the prices of the respective organizer apply.

Accessibility

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

The citadel is a listed monument and is not barrier-free everywhere. Apart from the Kommandantenhaus (commandant's house) and the Julius Tower, the exhibition areas are accessible for people with limited mobility, while the citadel courtyard is largely covered in cobblestones. Accessible restrooms are available, among other places, in the Proviantmagazin and at the Archäologisches Fenster. Accessible parking spaces are on Zitadellenweg. Reading glasses are available on request in the permanent exhibition, along with seating and folding stools; assistance dogs are permitted. The Zitadelle U-Bahn station is barrier-free.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Kids’ birthday parties

Family Sunday on the first Sunday of each month (15:00–17:00, from age 4, free, no registration required), children's birthday parties for 6- to 12-year-olds, programs for kindergartens and school classes, and the outdoor escape game "Zitadellengold" for children.

Getting there & parking

Travel time about 30 minutes from Berlin Mitte; the citadel lies outside Berlin's low-emission zone (Umweltzone). Bicycle parking is available.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant

Restaurant "Zitadellenwirtschaft" on the grounds.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Citadel venues are available for rent, for example the Italienische Höfe and the Gotischer Saal for weddings and celebrations, and the Alte Kaserne (old barracks) for conferences; the site is also available as a film location.

Plan your visit