Stadthaus Ulm

Current exhibitions

About the museum

For centuries, the site of today's Stadthaus was occupied by Ulm's Franciscan friary, the Barfüßerkloster. In 1878 the city had the friary buildings demolished to open up an unobstructed view of the Münster (minster). The resulting wide square long remained undeveloped; from 1924 onward, its design was debated again and again in some 17 competitions.

In 1986 New York architect Richard Meier won a new competition. Opposition to the building formed, but a 1987 citizens' referendum failed to reach the required quorum. The white, three-story building with its curves, terraces, and large glass surfaces opened on November 12, 1993; in 2019 it was designated a cultural monument of special significance.

The Stadthaus is run by the City of Ulm and sees itself as an open forum on Münsterplatz. Its changing exhibitions focus mainly on contemporary photography, but also on art, architecture, and contemporary history; the hall hosts lectures, concerts, and guest events, and the building also houses a tourist information office and a café-restaurant.

In the basement, the exhibition "Unterirdisch!" (underground), established in 1993 and redesigned in 2016, displays finds from more than four millennia of settlement history beneath Münsterplatz. Other permanent features include a live panorama from the Münster tower and the last works of Otl Aicher, bronze busts of the siblings Hans and Sophie Scholl.

Highlights

• Architecture by Richard Meier opposite Ulm Minster
• Changing exhibitions of contemporary photography
• Archaeology exhibition "Unterirdisch!" with finds from Münsterplatz
• Live panorama "Münsterblick" from the Münster tower
• Busts of the Scholl siblings by Otl Aicher
• Free admission to all exhibitions

Permanent exhibitions

• Unterirdisch! Was unter dem Münsterplatz verborgen lag – Archaeological finds from more than 4,000 years of settlement history on Münsterplatz, complemented by films and slide shows in the basement.
• Münsterblick – Interactive 180-degree live image from the tower of Ulm Minster, offering a view over the city's rooftops without climbing any stairs.
• Otl Aichers letzte Werke: Die Büsten der Geschwister Hans und Sophie Scholl – Two bronze busts by Ulm designer Otl Aicher, which are among his last works.

Founded

1993

Operated by

Stadt Ulm

Director

Karla Nieraad

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

All exhibitions are open daily with free admission.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours
• Easy-to-read materials: not available
• Audio description: no information

Certified under "Reisen für Alle" (valid 03/2026–02/2029, level "partially accessible"): all areas step-free or reachable by elevator, doors at least 90 cm wide, lowered counter; the restroom can only be approached from one side, terrace thresholds 6 cm. No induction loop system. Tours for wheelchair users, for blind and visually impaired people (with touch objects), and in German Sign Language with advance registration.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

Architecture tour for children and adults, fairy-tale, treasure hunt, and planting activities for ages 4 and up. Media guide "Das Stadthaus hören" made by children for children, free question game (level 3) and activity booklet for the exhibition "Unterirdisch!"; hidden hands-on stations throughout the building.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Wi-Fi

Café-restaurant "Stadthaus Café" in the building, tourist information on the first floor.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

The Stadthaussaal hall is rented out for guest events in culture, science, politics, business, and social causes; terms per the general terms and conditions and price list, inquiries at 0731 161-7740.

Plan your visit