Stadtmuseum „Alte Burg“ Wittenberge

About the museum

The museum is housed in the "Alte Burg", a half-timbered building that Adam Gans zu Putlitz had built in 1669 as the "Weißes Schloss" (white castle) for his family outside what was then the town. Because it was set apart, the building survived the great town fire of 1757 and, along with the Steintor, is among the oldest surviving buildings in Wittenberge. Later it changed hands several times, served as a nursery, from 1907 as a municipal girls' school, in the Nazi era as a BDM home, after 1945 as refugee housing, and from 1951 as a retirement home.

In 1971, a museum of labor and industry moved into the "Alte Burg". After reunification and a thorough renovation of the building, it became the Stadtmuseum Wittenberge, which is now run by the municipal culture, sports, and tourism enterprise.

On two floors, the permanent exhibition traces the path from a small farming town to an industrial city, shaped above all by the sewing machine factories of Singer and later Veritas as well as the transition from war to the GDR. Large dioramas illustrate the city's history. The collection mainly comprises photos, everyday objects, and textiles from the industrial and GDR eras as well as an extensive stock of sewing machines and factory documents. Additional exhibitions can be found in the Steintor and the Uhrenturm (clock tower).

Highlights

• Half-timbered building from 1669 – the oldest residential building in the city
• Collection on the Singer and Veritas sewing machine factories
• Large dioramas on the city's history
• Free audio guide on industrial heritage
• Branches in the Steintor and the Uhrenturm

Permanent exhibitions

• Vom Ackerbürgerstädtchen zur Industriestadt – City history on two floors with large dioramas, focusing on the Singer and Veritas sewing machine factories and life in the GDR.
• Ausstellung im Steintor – The gate tower, more than 700 years old, complements the museum with exhibitions on local history; included in museum admission.
• Ausstellung im Uhrenturm – Branch of the city museum with its own exhibition; separate ticket or combination ticket with the museum.

Founded

1971

Operated by

Kultur-, Sport- und Tourismusbetrieb Wittenberge (Eigenbetrieb der Stadt Wittenberge)

Director

Marcel Steller

Admission & discounts

Admission to the museum includes the Steintor.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• 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

Fully accessible, second floor by elevator. Accessible parking space in the courtyard. Support for guests who are hard of hearing or blind on request.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Kids’ birthday parties: not available

Flashlight tour for young and old through the dark museum; museum education projects for school classes and after-school care centers. Children's birthday parties are currently not offered for capacity reasons.

Getting there & parking

From the Elbe it is about a 5-minute walk via Burgstraße.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Wi-Fi

Small café with indoor and outdoor seating as well as a book corner; shop with souvenirs, literature, and tourist information. Toolbox and e-bike charging for cyclists. Groups of 8 or more please register at the café.

Events & venue rental

As far as we know, the museum does not rent out spaces for external events.

The Torwächterhaus (gatekeeper's house) at the Steintor (kitchen, seating for about 30 people, garden) is currently not rented out for capacity reasons.

Plan your visit