Willy-Brandt-Forum Unkel

About the museum

Willy Brandt lived in Unkel on the Rhine from 1979 until his death in 1992. From here the former chancellor and Nobel Peace Prize laureate continued his work as chairman of the North-South Commission and president of the Socialist International and wrote his memoirs.

The idea for a museum came from the Bürgerstiftung Unkel "Willy-Brandt-Forum" (citizens' foundation). It received the former Sparkasse Neuwied branch in the old town from the bank, collected donations, and was supported by the state of Rhineland-Palatinate and the town. The forum opened on March 20, 2011, and was then run largely by volunteers for a good decade. The exhibition was curated by Jürgen Reiche, then exhibition director at the Haus der Geschichte in Bonn.

By decision of the Bundestag, the Bundeskanzler-Willy-Brandt-Stiftung took over operation and exhibition in September 2021; since then Unkel has been its third site alongside Berlin and Lübeck. The Bürgerstiftung remained the owner of the building and continues to take part in events and visitor services. Since 2022 the house has been headed by the historian Scott H. Krause, who is expanding its historical-political education work.

The center of the permanent exhibition is Brandt's faithfully reconstructed private study from his home in Unkel. In the gallery hangs Georg Meistermann's portrait of Brandt, which was originally intended for the chancellors' gallery.

Highlights

• Reconstructed study of Willy Brandt from his house in Unkel
• Portrait of Brandt by Georg Meistermann
• Original film and sound documents, small cinema
• Interactive stations on Brandt and his era
• Free public guided tour on the first Sunday of the month

Permanent exhibitions

• Willy Brandt – Dauerausstellung – Stages of Brandt's life from Lübeck through exile to the chancellorship and his international engagement, supplemented by his years as a citizen of Unkel. The centerpiece is his reconstructed study.

Founded

2011

Operated by

Bundeskanzler-Willy-Brandt-Stiftung

Director

Dr. Scott H. Krause

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission. Public tours as well as tours for school classes and comparable groups are free. A €50 fee is charged for booked tours if canceled.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Accessible entrance and wheelchair-accessible elevator; assistance dogs allowed. As an inclusive offering, telephone tours ("Bei Anruf Kultur") take place at irregular intervals.

Kids & families

Only partly suitable for kids

• Hands-on stations

Interactive stations offer young people in particular a playful way in; the educational programs are aimed at school classes from grade 8.

Getting there & parking

GPS: Unkel, Schulstraße. By car via the B 42; from the direction of Koblenz also via the B 9 and a car ferry (e.g., Linz or Bad Honnef).

Amenities & dining

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

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Up to 50 guests.

Seminar room in the basement with about 50 seats and a projector; rental for events by advance registration, terms on request.

Plan your visit