Stadtmuseum Weimar

Current exhibitions

About the museum

The museum's roots lie in private 19th-century collections, above all that of Bruno Schwabe. In 1889 these became the basis of a natural history museum run by the Naturwissenschaftlicher Verein (natural science society), housed first in a school behind the Stadtkirche and from 1892 in the Posecksches Haus. In 1903 the city of Weimar took over the institution – which is why it is considered the oldest city museum in Thuringia.

Since 1954/55 the museum has been located in the Bertuchhaus on what is now Karl-Liebknecht-Straße. The neoclassical residential and commercial building was constructed in two phases between 1780 and 1803 for Friedrich Justin Bertuch, a writer, publisher, and one of the most important entrepreneurs in Weimar during Goethe's time. Later his descendants from the Froriep family lived here; the last resident was the painter Bertha Froriep.

The permanent exhibition on two floors explores selected chapters of the city's history: the lives of the Bertuch and Froriep families and their publishing business, middle-class everyday life since the late 18th century, the economy and technology, and the National Assembly that met in Weimar in 1919. Separate sections commemorate the court photographer and cinema pioneer Louis Held and the graphic design studio of Alexander Olbricht. The collection also includes an important textile collection and the artistic estate of the painter Alfred Ahner. On the first floor, the museum shows special exhibitions, a film on the city's history, and a tactile model of the city.

Highlights

• The neoclassical Bertuchhaus as the museum building
• Exhibition section "Demokratie aus Weimar. Die Nationalversammlung 1919"
• Living quarters from the time of Friedrich Justin Bertuch around 1800
• Court photographer and cinema pioneer Louis Held
• Film "Weimar. Mythos und Wahrheit" on the city's history
• Tactile model of Weimar

Permanent exhibitions

• Stadtgeschichte im Bertuchhaus – Two floors on Weimar's everyday life, economy, and technology since the late 18th century – with living quarters from Bertuch's time, middle-class interiors, mechanical musical instruments, and early vehicles.
• Demokratie aus Weimar. Die Nationalversammlung 1919 – Focus of the permanent exhibition on the constituent assembly that met in Weimar in 1919 and on the city during the Weimar Republic.

Founded

1903

Operated by

Stadt Weimar

Admission & discounts

All prices include a €0.50 culture promotion levy (Kulturförderabgabe). Free admission with the weimar card, for overnight guests who pay Weimar's culture promotion levy, and for ICOM members and members of the friends' association. The combination ticket with the Kunsthalle Harry Graf Kessler (€4, reduced €2) is currently not relevant, as the Kunsthalle is closed.

Accessibility

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

Only the first floor, with special exhibitions, lecture hall, film, and museum education, is accessible; the permanent exhibition on the upper floors is not. Doorbell to the left of the entrance for help with the double door; narrowest passage 80 cm. Wheelchair-accessible restroom on the first floor. Tactile city model with descriptions in German, English, and Dutch in the winter garden. No induction loop in the lecture hall.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Museum activity sheets for puzzles, search games, and coloring (also printable), hands-on tours, and holiday tours according to the events calendar. Children's birthday parties and family programs by arrangement with the museum education team.

Getting there & parking

By car, follow the signs toward the city center (Stadtmitte).

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop with catalogs, Weimar publications, and calendars.

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit