
Deutsches Hirtenmuseum
Specialist museum in Hersbruck on the culture of shepherds in Franconia and worldwide, with the hands-on exhibition "Mensch und Tier" (People and Animals) in a half-timbered ensemble.
Over het museum
There were plans for a museum in Hersbruck as early as 1905, but not until 1926 did Paul Holzmann offer the town his property in the Eisenhüttlein together with a local history collection. The local historian Rudolf Wetzer, who long directed the house on a volunteer basis, called together the village herdsmen of the surrounding area; their donations gave the museum its thematic direction, and the meeting gave rise to the Hirtentag (Shepherds' Day), still celebrated on January 6. 1933 is considered the actual founding year of the "Heimat- und Hirtenmuseum."
The museum occupies a listed half-timbered ensemble with a 16th-century farmer-townsman's house, inner courtyard, barn, and garden. From 1938, evidence of international shepherd cultures was added. During and after the war, parts of the building served as emergency housing, and from 1955 it was expanded again; in the 1960s the present museum barn was added.
Under full-time management since 1989, the museum was reoriented entirely toward herding in the 1990s and renamed Deutsches Hirtenmuseum. In 2009 the interactive exhibition "Mensch und Tier" opened in the renovated barn, in 2013 a historic leather goods shop was installed, and in 2023 a section on the goat. The collection includes around 400 painted bell straps of Franconian cattle herders, cowbells along with a built-in bell forge, and local history holdings on the fire brigade, hop growing, and everyday culture.
Hoogtepunten
- Around 400 painted bell straps of Franconian cattle herders
- Built-in bell forge and numerous cowbells
- Hands-on exhibition "Mensch und Tier" in the museum barn
- Shepherd costumes and tools from Europe and Africa
- Faithfully reconstructed leather goods shop "Leder-Soergel" (guided tour only)
- Goat section with interactive stations
Vaste collectie
- Hirtenkultur in Franken und weltweit – The historical collection in the main building tells of the everyday life of Franconian village herdsmen with bell straps, cowbells, and a forge, and shows shepherd cultures of other countries as well as the town history of Hersbruck.
- Mensch und Tier – Interactive exhibition on the third floor of the museum barn on the coexistence of people and farm animals, with many stations to try out.
- Die Ziege – Section in the main building on the goat as a farm animal, fairy-tale figure, and symbolic creature, with smelling, listening, and touching stations.
- Opgericht
- 1933
- Beheerder
- Stadt Hersbruck
- Directie
- Ingrid M. Pflaum
Toegangsprijzen & kortingen
| Volwassenen | € 5 |
|---|---|
| Met korting | € 1,50Children and those entitled to concessions |
| Kinderen & jongeren | € 1,50gratis t/m 5 jaar · Children up to and including 5 years free; kindergarten children in a group free (€0.50 on tours). |
| Groepen (vanaf 11 pers.) | € 4 p.p.Groups of 11 or more (please register): without tour €4 (children/reduced €1, school classes €1), with tour €6 (children/reduced €3, school classes €2.50). Flat fee for a house tour for up to 9 people €50, children's groups up to 9 children €25. Tours in French or English €6.50 per person. Accompanying teachers, tour guides, and bus drivers free. |
| Gezinnen | € 10Family day ticket. |
| Public guided tour (in addition to admission) | € 1Reduced €0.50; every first Sunday of the month at 15:00. |
| Audio guide (MP3 player) | € 2Usage fee; free via the app "Bayern hören" (Android). |
| Children's birthday party (basic flat fee) | € 50Up to 10 children aged 5 and up, including admission for the children and 2 accompanying adults; plus materials. |
Toegankelijkheid
- Rolstoeltoegankelijk: niet aanwezig
- Lift: geen informatie
- Aangepast toilet: geen informatie
- Gehandicaptenparkeerplaats: geen informatie
- Hulphonden welkom: geen informatie
- Tastmodellen / voelbare objecten: geen informatie
- Rondleidingen in gebarentaal: geen informatie
- Informatie in eenvoudige taal: geen informatie
- Audiodescriptie: geen informatie
The historic building is not accessible for people in wheelchairs or with walking disabilities. For senior homes and care facilities, the museum offers talks and hands-on activities on site under the title "Das Museum zu Besuch" (The Museum Visits You).
Kinderen & gezin
Erg geschikt voor kinderen & gezinnen
| Toegang kinderen | gratis t/m 5 jaar |
|---|---|
| Gezinsticket | € 10 · Family day ticket. |
- Gezinsrondleidingen & workshops
- Doe- en voelstations
- Kinderfeestjes
In the exhibition "Mensch und Tier," children can try out an ox harness at hands-on stations, feel wool, or weave; in the goat section there are pelts to pet and listening stations. Children's birthday parties (max. 10 children aged 5 and up, 2.5 hrs., except Sundays) with themes such as Stone Age, felting, or treasure hunt.
Bereikbaarheid & parkeren
Met het openbaar vervoer
Hersbruck (rechts der Pegnitz) · 5 min. lopen
By train to Hersbruck station (right of the Pegnitz), about 17 minutes from Nürnberg Hbf; from there about a 5-minute walk toward the town center (signposted).
Met de auto
Gratis parkeren · 10 min. lopen naar de ingang
Free at the Plärrer (Ostbahnstraße), approx. 10-minute walk, also for buses. Paid directly in front of the museum, at Oberer Markt, and in the Lohweg underground garage; buses alternatively paid at the station right of the Pegnitz (approx. 5 minutes).
Bicycles can be parked in the museum garden during your visit.
Route plannenService & horeca
- Café: niet aanwezig
- Museumwinkel
- Wifi: niet aanwezig
The tavern "Zum ESPAN" in the inner courtyard has served only groups by advance registration since 2022 and provides catering for celebrations. No Wi-Fi in the building.
Evenementen & zaalverhuur
- Ruimtes te huur
- Privéfeesten
- Zakelijke evenementen
- Bruiloften / trouwceremonies
Hall on the second floor of the museum barn for celebrations, conferences, and company parties (especially in the summer months), with inner courtyard and garden on request. Civil weddings via the Hersbruck registry office. Catering by the ESPAN team or your own caterer.
Aanvragen & detailsJe bezoek plannen
| Rondleidingen | ja · duur ca. 60 min. |
|---|---|
| Audiotour | ja (DE) |
| Aanbod voor scholen | ja |
| Goed om te weten | Public tour every first Sunday of the month at 15:00 (no registration, meeting point at the ticket desk, approx. 45–60 minutes). The leather goods shop "Leder-Soergel" is accessible only on tours and at museum festivals. The audio guide designed by students leads through the historical part of the permanent exhibition with seven stops. On the first Sunday of the month the Spinnstube (spinning circle) also meets, which visitors can join. |




