Waldensermuseum Gottstreu
Museum in the former village school of Gottstreu about the Waldensians, their flight and settlement in the Wesertal, and French Bibles.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Waldensermuseum was founded in 1991 in the small Weser village of Gottstreu. It is housed in the former schoolhouse, built in 1826 and extended several times, which was no longer needed for teaching or living. The municipality made it available to the association Waldenserfreunde Gottstreu-Gewissenruh so that a "visible memory" of the two Waldensian villages of Gottstreu and Gewissenruh could be created here.
Over more than 200 square meters on three levels, the exhibition traces the medieval origins of the Waldensian movement and its link to the Reformation. It moves through a Waldensian room with mountain farming tools from the Cottian Alps, to the migration of 1698 and the settlement in the Wesertal by 1722. The founding of the colonies Gewissenruh and Gottstreu is a focal point, with topics such as architecture, church and social history, and genealogy. A schoolroom recalls the French village schools that existed until 1825.
Particularly significant are the photo archive with historical images from both villages and a collection of French Bibles, the oldest of which was printed in Geneva in 1567. An exhibition also provides information about all Waldensian settlements in Germany.
Highlights
- Waldensian room with mountain farming tools from the Cottian Alps
- Route of the Waldensians from 1698 to the settlement in the Wesertal
- House and church models of the villages of Gottstreu and Gewissenruh
- Collection of French Bibles, the oldest from 1567
- Photo archive with historical images
- Founded
- 1991
- Operated by
- Waldenserfreunde Gottstreu-Gewissenruh e.V.
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Admission during regular opening hours is free. A fee is charged for museum and village tours as well as special openings.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The museum is at Waldenserstraße 1 in the Gottstreu district, in the former schoolhouse.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Museum and village tours as well as visits outside opening hours are possible by prior booking (tel. +49 5544 912159). |
