Waagenmuseum Balingen

About the museum

Balingen is known as the scale town thanks to the scale manufacturer Bizerba. The museum's foundation is the private collection of Professor Wilhelm Kraut, owner of Bizerba and honorary citizen of the town, which has been on public display in the Zollernschloss since 1943. From 2005, the holdings were significantly expanded through loans and exhibits from the precision scale manufacturer Kern & Sohn.

The Zollernschloss on the southern edge of the town center now offers space for around 500 exhibits on two floors. The tour ranges from the equal-arm balance and Roman steelyards through coin and gold scales, counter, decimal, and personal scales to modern shop and industrial scales. In addition there are historic weight sets made of stone, metal, glass, and porcelain.

Among the most valuable pieces are a Roman steelyard more than 2,000 years old and original inclining balances by the pastor and inventor Philipp Matthäus Hahn, whose ideas shaped scale-making in the region. A huge hay scale from the 18th century stands in the neighboring Zehntscheuer (tithe barn) for lack of space. A technology discovery room invites children to assemble scales, and films in the media room explain the history of weighing technology.

Highlights

• Roman steelyard more than 2,000 years old
• Original inclining balances by Philipp Matthäus Hahn
• 18th-century hay scale in the Zehntscheuer (tithe barn)
• Workshop of a scale maker around 1860
• Technology discovery room for building scales

Permanent exhibitions

• Waagen und Gewichte aus 2000 Jahren – On two floors, the museum shows the development of weighing technology from the beam balance to the networked shop scale, plus historic weight sets.

Operated by

Stadt Balingen

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• 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

According to the city of Balingen, the museum is not accessible.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Hands-on stations

In the technology discovery room, children and groups assemble various scales from prefabricated parts; films on the history of weighing technology run in the media room.

Getting there & parking

The museum is at the southern end of the town center near the pedestrian zone.

Amenities & dining

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

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit