Städtische Sammlungen Freital

About the museum

The Städtische Sammlungen Freital date back to a Heimatmuseum (local heritage museum) founded in the early 1920s. Since 1946 the institution has been housed in Schloss Burgk, the former Rittergut (manor estate) of Burgk, under the name "Haus der Heimat" (House of the Homeland). The manor house has been known since the 14th century, and in the 19th century it was the residence and administrative center of the Freiherrlich von Burgker Steinkohlenwerke (Burgk hard coal mining company).

From the local heritage museum a museum complex of several buildings and outdoor grounds has developed, which ranks among the largest non-state museums in Saxony. In the manor house, the exhibitions tell of more than 500 years of hard coal mining in the Döhlener Becken (Döhlen Basin) as well as the history of the town and region. A reconstructed underground situation, a technology garden and a mining display installation show the Wismut mining of the years 1947 to 1989. On loan as a special exhibit is "Dorothea", the world's first electric mine locomotive, which was put into service in 1882.

The second focus is the Städtische Kunstsammlung (Municipal Art Collection), with paintings of Dresden art from around 1890 to the present; the highlight is nine paintings by Otto Dix. It is complemented by the private collection of the Stiftung Pappermann. In the castle park, the show mine, open to visitors since 1996, leads into an early industrial mine gallery and commemorates the severe mining accident of 1869.

Highlights

• Nine paintings by Otto Dix in the Städtische Kunstsammlung
• Show mine with hard coal seam in the castle park
• The world's first electric mine locomotive "Dorothea"
• Mining display installation and technology garden on Wismut mining
• School history cabinet

Permanent exhibitions

• Bergbau- und Stadtgeschichte im Herrenhaus – The exhibition presents more than 500 years of hard coal mining in the Döhlener Becken and the history of the town and region, plus a reconstructed underground setting on Wismut mining.
• Städtische Kunstsammlung – Dresden painting from around 1890 to the present, with nine paintings by Otto Dix and works from his circle and his teachers.
• Besucherbergwerk – Guided walk through an early industrial mine gallery with an exposed hard coal seam and information on the mining accident of 1869.

Founded

1923

Operated by

Große Kreisstadt Freital

Director

Kristin Gäbler

Admission & discounts

Tickets are available only at the museum cash desk (cash or EC card). With the Schlösserlandkarte, admission to all exhibitions is free, except for the show mine guided tour.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• 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

Barrier-free are the mining display installation, the exhibition "Faszination Steinkohle", the art collection and the special exhibition area. Not barrier-free due to stairs are the castle (manor house), the technology garden, the show mine, the school history cabinet and the exhibition of the Stiftung Pappermann. The audio guide can be used by blind and visually impaired visitors; all stations also have a transcript for deaf visitors.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Playground / play area

Children's quiz (at the ticket desk, included in admission), children's audio guide, changing holiday specials, and school and kindergarten programs. On the castle grounds is the public playground Burgkania, where the digital hard coal adventure trail "Willibalds Windbergschatz" begins. The show mine is accessible from age 6.

Getting there & parking

By car from Dresden via the Tharandter Straße or the A 17 (exit Dresden-Gorbitz or Dresden-Südvorstadt) to Freital, then along Burgker Straße to the pithead frame.

Amenities & dining

• Café

Schlosscafé Buddenhagen on the grounds (Tue 13:00–18:00, Wed–Sun 11:00–18:00; in the colder months until 17:00; closed Mondays). Dogs are not permitted in the exhibitions.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Event halls in the west wing (Knappen- und Steigersaal, barrier-free) with a fixed in-house catering partner. Civil marriage ceremonies take place in the ceremonial hall on the first upper floor (up to 35 guests, not barrier-free). Viewing by arrangement.

Plan your visit