Stiftlandmuseum

About the museum

The idea of a Stiftland Museum was first voiced in Waldsassen as early as 1927, but it was only realized through the initiative of the Gerwigkreis in the Oberpfälzer Waldverein from 1972 onward. Volunteers collected objects from the region and designed the first exhibition rooms. The museum opened in 1975 in the old town hall and has carried its current name since the town council resolution of December 1974; the sponsor is the town of Waldsassen.

In 1977 the building behind the old town hall was taken over, adding more exhibition space. From 1992 the houses were renovated and the museum was redesigned; it reopened in 1997. Today it belongs to the museum association "das zwoelfer", made up of the museums in the Tirschenreuth district.

Across four floors, the house shows around 50 themes from the town and the Stiftland region, with a particular focus on the influence of the Waldsassen monastery. The main emphasis is the largest collection of old workshops and craft tools in the Upper Palatinate, for example from blacksmiths, shoemakers or bookbinders. There are also furnished shops, the Münchenreuther village school, farmhouse parlors, the Lamberts glassworks, evidence of mining, porcelain production and nativity tradition, and a mineral collection. Since 2024 the holdings have been inventoried and the collection concept has been revised.

Highlights

• Largest collection of old workshops and craft tools in the Upper Palatinate
• Original furnished shops: hairdresser, general store, hatmaker, dentist
• Münchenreuther village school from around 1900
• Mining, porcelain production and the Lamberts glassworks
• Mineral collection and nativity tradition

Permanent exhibitions

• Dauerausstellung Stiftland: Handwerk, Alltag und Kloster – Over 50 themes across four floors, with historic workshops, shops, farmhouse parlors, mining, porcelain and glass production.
• Alte Dorfschule Münchenreuth – The classroom of a one-room school around 1900, with original school benches.

Founded

1975

Operated by

Stadt Waldsassen

Admission & discounts

School classes €0.50 per pupil. Free admission for holders of the Ehrenamtskarte (volunteer card) and with the Klosterticket (monastery ticket, available in the monastery shop and the monastery garden). The admission ticket is valid as a day ticket.

Accessibility

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Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

Quiz puzzles for children and school classes (PDF on request); guided tours in the old village school for school classes. Hands-on stations in the special exhibitions.

Getting there & parking

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Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

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