Stadtmuseum Hildburghausen

Current exhibitions

About the museum

Founded in 1904, the museum of the town of Hildburghausen moved into the "Alte Post" on Apothekergasse in 1993 after several earlier locations. The listed complex on the former Häfenmarkt combines a city wall tower with later buildings on top and a south wing from the 14th to 16th centuries with an east wing from around 1713; from 1809 it housed the Thurn und Taxis post office. During the renovation for the museum between 1987 and 1993, numerous architectural-historical features were left visible, including a 16th-century smoke kitchen.

Spread over several floors, the permanent exhibition tells the history of the town and the Duchy of Saxe-Hildburghausen – from the medieval founding of the town through crafts, its time as a royal seat, and the Biedermeier period to its role as a district town in the 1960s border zone. One focus is Joseph Meyer's Bibliographisches Institut, which operated in Hildburghausen from 1828 to 1874; a collection of first editions recalls it. A separate room is devoted to the still-unsolved mystery of the "Dunkelgräfin" (Dark Countess).

The museum also includes the Renaissance town hall on the market square with a visible storage display and the tower keeper's apartment, restored in 2002 to show its condition around 1915. Both can be visited by appointment as part of guided tours.

Highlights

• First editions from Joseph Meyer's Bibliographisches Institut
• Room on the mysterious Dunkelgräfin (Dark Countess)
• Historic 16th-century smoke kitchen
• Half-timbered courtyard with arcaded gallery
• Tower keeper's apartment in the Renaissance town hall (by appointment)

Permanent exhibitions

• Stadtgeschichte Hildburghausen – Themed rooms from the small medieval farming town through the period as a royal seat and Meyer's Bibliographisches Institut to the district town on the inner-German border.
• Rathaus und Türmerwohnung – The apartment of the last tower keeper in the town hall roof is furnished as it was around 1915, with original furniture and a bookbinder's workshop; visits by guided tour only.

Founded

1904

Operated by

Stadt Hildburghausen

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: no information
• 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

Not accessible due to stairs and door thresholds in the building; for questions, please get in touch by phone or email in advance.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Holiday programs during the Easter, summer, and fall holidays; age-appropriate tours and project days for daycare and school groups by arrangement. From fall 2026, a museum quiz for elementary school children; coloring books for the youngest in the museum shop.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop with companion booklets for the exhibition sections and coloring books for children.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Plan your visit