Stadtmuseum Schwandorf

About the museum

Local history enthusiasts founded a local museum in 1912, which opened its doors in 1913 in the so-called Englhaus; it is the oldest cultural institution of the city of Schwandorf, which still runs it today. After several moves, the collection found its permanent home in the old town in 1963.

The museum occupies two connected buildings. The older part dates from the 16th century and once served as the city pharmacy and, from 1863 to 1922, also as the town hall. As part of the old town redevelopment, the complex was thoroughly renovated in the 1980s.

Since 2022, a redesigned permanent exhibition covering more than 700 square meters has told the story of Schwandorf, from stone tools and ceramics of prehistoric and early times through crafts, religious history, and the industry that shaped the city, to the world wars and the postwar period. During the renovation, the building was made largely accessible with ramps, platform lifts, and an elevator.

In the attic floor, the NaturInfoZentrum presents the landscapes of the district in an interactive way. Since 2025, the Falkenauer Heimatstube (Falkenau local heritage room) has also been part of the museum, commemorating the displaced persons from the former Falkenau region in what is now the Czech Republic.

Highlights

• Newly told city history with numerous media stations
• Industrial history with ceramics from the former Tonwarenfabrik Schwandorf
• NaturInfoZentrum on the natural landscapes of the central Upper Palatinate
• Falkenauer Heimatstube on the history of the displaced persons
• Tactile and audio stations, texts in German and English

Permanent exhibitions

• Stadtgeschichte Schwandorf – On the first floor, the city and its residents are the focus, from prehistoric finds to the present day.
• Industrie- und Zeitgeschichte – The second floor is devoted to Schwandorf's industrialization, the world wars and the postwar period, and the history of the museum itself.
• NaturInfoZentrum – On the attic floor, the landscapes of the Schwandorf district are presented through multimedia and hands-on activities.

Founded

1912

Operated by

Stadt Schwandorf

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

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

Main entrance via a ramp; platform lifts on the first floor overcome individual steps, and an elevator and a long ramp provide access to the second floor. Spacious accessible restroom on the first floor. High-contrast exhibition texts, tactile and audio stations, information booklet in Easy Language. Fixed seating and mobile folding stools. Accessible parking spaces at Marktplatz and in Breite Straße.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities

Hands-on activities for children, teenagers, and families in the MuseumsAktivWerkstatt; tactile and audio stations in the exhibition and an interactive NaturInfoZentrum. Almost all rooms are accessible with a stroller.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located in the old town near Marktplatz.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit