Turmuhrenmuseum Bockenem

About the museum

The museum goes back to a collection of the Mittelpunktschule Ambergau. Its foundation was about ten implements from agriculture and crafts left over from a local history museum of the 1930s. From 1967, the teacher Gerhard Kraus expanded the holdings with students, supported by the Verein für Heimatkunde im Ambergau (local history association), revived in 1968. When space in the school was no longer enough, the town provided rooms in the old school at the Buchholzmarkt; for the association's 50th anniversary, the museum opened there in December 1970. Extensions in 1972 and 1976 brought it to more than twelve rooms.

After a comprehensive renovation by the town as the operator, the museum received a new focus in 1979/80: tower clocks from the Bockenem factory J. F. Weule, which also cast bells. Many retired clock movements returned to their city of origin and were made operational again by the former Weule clockmaker Willi Lagershausen and Karl Klein.

From 1996, the clock department was systematically expanded, and parts of the local history holdings moved to the Bornum elementary school; since 2006 the upper floor has again been set up as a local history museum. After water damage in 2007, the museum remained closed for five months. Since about 2010, civil weddings have been possible, and in 2012 a Weule clock served as a prop in the movie "Das kleine Gespenst" (The Little Ghost). Today the volunteer-run museum shows more than 60 clocks from the period between 1563 and 1963.

Highlights

• More than 60 tower clocks from the years 1563 to 1963
• Working clock movements from the tower clock factory J. F. Weule
• Tower clock from the film "Das kleine Gespenst"
• Carillon on the museum gable (daily at 11:45, 14:55 and 16:55)
• Local history department on the Ambergau

Permanent exhibitions

• Turmuhrenabteilung – Large church tower clocks with manual and electric winding as well as smaller clocks from manor farms, schools and town halls, mostly from the Bockenem factory J. F. Weule.
• Heimatkundliche Abteilung – On the upper floor, the museum shows pieces on the history of Bockenem and the Ambergau, for example from crafts, agriculture and the household.

Founded

1970

Operated by

Stadt Bockenem

Director

Günther Haars

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission, a donation is requested.

Accessibility

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

Kids & families

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

Getting there & parking

The museum is on the market square (Buchholzmarkt) next to St. Pankratius Church. By car via the A7, exit Bockenem.

Amenities & dining

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

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Weddings / ceremonies

Civil weddings in various museum rooms; depending on the room, up to 15 guests in addition to the couple, witnesses and registry office. One exhibition room is suitable for a sparkling wine reception. Inquiries through the town of Bockenem (05067 2420).

Plan your visit