Stadtmuseum Battenberg (Eder)

City museum in the historic town hall of Battenberg (Eder) on town history, the Mountbatten family, hunting, mining and motorcycle racing.

Opening hoursFree admission

Website Directions

About the museum

The museum is housed in the Old Town Hall on the market square, a half-timbered building that the town says is over 400 years old. Over time the building served, among other things, as a schoolroom and a kindergarten. In 1983 the town council decided to examine using the building as a local history museum and public library. After extensive gutting and a renovation that became much more expensive than planned, the house was restored in 1992 and the museum was set up. Mining and motorsport themes were added in 2007.

The town history section holds a Salbuch (manorial register) from 1712 and a collection of photographic glass plates with views of the town from the 1930s. A media display tells the story of Julie von Haucke, who became Princess of Battenberg in 1851, and the family’s path to the Mountbattens in England. The hunting history section explains why hunting lodges were built around Battenberg in the 18th century.

The mining section is linked to the Burgbergstollen show mine, where manganese ore was sought; from the museum you can see the entrance to the adit. Another area commemorates the motorcycle races on the Battenberger Ring from 1950 to 1956, which drew up to 40,000 spectators. On the ground floor, exhibitions and small cultural events take place regularly.

Highlights

Historic half-timbered town hall as the museum building
Media display on the Battenberg family and the Mountbattens
Hunting history section with the 1767 stag (copy)
Mining section with a view into the adit of the Burgbergstollen show mine
Motorcycle races on the Battenberger Ring, 1950–1956
Audio guide with stations throughout the house

Permanent exhibitions

Battenberg und die Mountbattens – A media display tells the story of the Princess of Battenberg and the family’s rise into European royal houses.
Jagdausstellung – This section explains why hunting lodges were built around Battenberg in the 18th century and what lies behind the famous Battenberg stag.
Bergbau in Battenberg und Umgebung – This section covers manganese ore mining and is linked to the nearby Burgbergstollen show mine.

Operated by: Stadt Battenberg (Eder)
Director: Elisabeth Skupin