Vortaunusmuseum
Regional museum on Oberursel's Marktplatz covering town, industrial and prehistoric history, soapbox cars and Hans Thoma – reopening on November 7, 2026.
About the museum
The Vortaunusmuseum occupies a complex of buildings on Oberursel's historic Marktplatz. The main building was erected in 1705 over the remains of medieval houses, and a vaulted cellar dates back to around 1500. In the late 18th century the property served as an administrative building, and in the 19th century as an inn with a brewery; the town acquired it in 1912.
A first museum opened in 1976. During conversion work from 1981, wall remains of three medieval houses came to light beneath the floorboards of the first floor. In the summer of 1987 the building reopened as a modern regional museum; it also houses the town's tourist information office.
The sections cover the town's history since Oberursel was first mentioned in 791; industrialization along the water-rich Urselbach stream with mills, tanneries, textile works and engine manufacturing; prehistory and early history with finds from the Celtic ring forts in the Hochtaunus; and life at the Bommersheim moated castle, destroyed in 1382. A special theme is soapbox cars and children's car races, whose archive goes back to a donation by Adam Opel AG in 1982; a Hans Thoma memorial is also attached. After about three and a half years of restoration, during which a hidden historic stucco ceiling was discovered on the upper floor, the museum is set to reopen on November 7, 2026.
Highlights
- 1:250 scale town model and dioramas of the old town
- Finds from the Celtic ring forts in the Hochtaunus
- Finds from the Bommersheim moated castle, destroyed in 1382
- Winning soapbox cars from the 1960s and 1970s and a replica of a children's automobile from 1904
- Hans Thoma memorial with sketches, prints and paintings
Permanent exhibitions
- Stadtgeschichte – Oberursel from its first mention in 791 to the present day, with a town model, dioramas of the Marktplatz and the Malerwinkel (painters' corner) and the medieval wall remains discovered in the building.
- Vor- und Frühgeschichte – Finds from the Stone Age and Bronze Age and an extensive selection from the Celtic ring forts in the Hochtaunus.
- Seifenkisten – Winning soapbox cars from the 1960s and 1970s, a replica of a children's automobile from 1904, historic photos and a film about the races.
- Founded
- 1987
- Director
- Renate Messer
Admission & discounts
| Groups | –Guided tours for groups, clubs and celebrations: flat rate of €20 for ten or more people, €2 per person for smaller groups. Tours for school classes and daycare groups are free. |
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Before the restoration, admission was free according to Taunus Touristik; no information is yet available for the period after the reopening.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
- Kids’ birthday parties
Museum education program featuring the character Viola Vampir (with her own children's website), holiday workshops for 8- to 12-year-olds and children's birthday parties (cost depends on the theme).
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Amenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
Museum café with homemade cake during opening hours, and snacks after guided tours on request. Shop with replicas of Celtic finds, minerals, postcards and literature on local history and early history. The Oberursel tourist information office is in the building.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
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| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided tours of the sections for groups, clubs, family celebrations and birthday parties by arrangement. Tours for daycare groups and school classes are free; please book about two weeks in advance, with themes by arrangement. |
