Stadtmuseum Döbeln/Kleine Galerie

Current exhibitions

About the museum

Döbeln was first documented in 981 and is one of the oldest towns in Saxony. The city museum tells this history of more than a thousand years in the attic and tower of the town hall, which the townspeople had built in 1912 in the Neo-Renaissance style and which was finished after just two years. The museum moved into this home in 1997.

The tour runs over three exhibition levels with 84 steps. The oldest object is a 15th-century sculpture recalling the former Benedictine nunnery; a model brings the medieval Doblin Castle back to life. Other topics include the crafts and the booming industry at the end of the 19th century, and a diorama of the siege of the town during the Seven Years’ War.

The Kleine Galerie first opened in 1991 in the old Amtshaus (district office). As the birthplace of the painters Erich Heckel and Bernhard Kretzschmar, the town sees itself as a place for the visual arts. Today the gallery shows changing exhibitions of painting, photography, graphic art, sculpture, caricature or graffiti on the fifth floor and in the staircase of the town hall. Since the reconstruction of the town hall in 2005, an elevator goes up to the fifth floor.

Highlights

• Town history across four tower levels in the town hall
• Model of the medieval Doblin Castle
• Diorama of the siege during the Seven Years’ War
• Kleine Galerie with changing exhibitions by Saxon artists
• Views from three balconies of the town hall tower at about 40 meters
• Döbeln giant boot in the council chamber

Permanent exhibition

• Stadtmuseum: Stadtgeschichte im Rathausturm – On three exhibition levels the museum shows Döbeln’s history, from Doblin Castle and the convent to crafts and industry.

Operated by

Stadt Döbeln

Admission & discounts

Cash only.

Accessibility

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

Since the reconstruction of the town hall in 2005, an elevator runs to the fifth floor with the Kleine Galerie; the route through the town history exhibition climbs 84 steps across three exhibition levels.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Families and children’s groups of 6 or more can join the discovery tour “Durch die Stadtgeschichte stiefeln” (stomping through town history) on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays after registration; it includes a treasure hunt, exhibits to touch and the time travel “Reise in die Ritterzeit” for grades 2–5. The Kleine Galerie offers hands-on activities on art techniques.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the town hall at Obermarkt 1 (entrance on the fifth floor). By car via the A14, exits Döbeln-Ost and Döbeln-Nord.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties

For class reunions, club meetings or other events in the museum rooms, the museum can advise on request.

Plan your visit