Deutschordensmuseum

Over het museum

Mergentheim came to the Teutonic Order in 1219 through a donation by the Lords of Hohenlohe and later became the seat of its Grand Masters and German Masters. The medieval moated castle became a Renaissance residence, which was expanded in the Baroque style in the 18th century under Franz Ludwig of Palatinate-Neuburg and Clemens August of Bavaria; the castle church, the Neue Fürstenwohnung (new princely apartment), and the neoclassical chapter hall date from this period.

The museum's roots go back to the 19th century: in 1864 Freiherr Carl Joseph von Adelsheim bequeathed his collection of antiquities to the town, which was first shown in the town hall and moved into the castle in 1927. The later district local history museum gave rise to the Deutschordensmuseum, which, following a comprehensive redesign in 1996, presents itself across roughly 3,000 square meters. Today it is managed by the Staatliche Schlösser und Gärten Baden-Württemberg (State Palaces and Gardens of Baden-Württemberg).

The permanent exhibition traces the founding, expansion, and transformation of the Order from the Crusades to today and leads through historic state rooms. Further sections show the town's history, the Adelsheim collection, dollhouses from the Johanna Kunz collection, a cabinet on the poet Eduard Mörike, who lived in Mergentheim for some years, and the Neolithic period in the Tauber valley with an impressive family grave from Althausen. The English-style castle garden is freely accessible during the day.

Hoogtepunten

• History of the Teutonic Order from 1190 to today
• Baroque castle church and neoclassical chapter hall
• Neue Fürstenwohnung with stucco ceilings
• Dollhouse collection with toy shops and a historic kitchen
• Neolithic crouched burial from Althausen
• Mörike cabinet

Vaste collectie

• Der Deutsche Orden – History of the Order from its founding in the Holy Land to the present, presented in the former residence rooms of the Grand Masters.
• Stadtgeschichte und Puppenstubensammlung – History of the town of Bad Mergentheim as well as dollhouses, toy shops, and kitchens from the Johanna Kunz collection; the local history section is closed until October 7, 2026.
• Jungsteinzeit im Taubertal – Finds from the Neolithic period of the region, including a family burial in a crouched position from Althausen.

Opgericht

1996

Beheerder

Staatliche Schlösser und Gärten Baden-Württemberg

Toegangsprijzen & kortingen

Schlosscard and Landesfamilienpass are accepted. The castle garden is accessible free of charge.

Toegankelijkheid

• Deels rolstoeltoegankelijk
• Lift: geen informatie
• Aangepast toilet: geen informatie
• Gehandicaptenparkeerplaats: geen informatie
• Hulphonden welkom: geen informatie
• Tastmodellen / voelbare objecten
• Rondleidingen in gebarentaal: geen informatie
• Informatie in eenvoudige taal: geen informatie
• Audiodescriptie: geen informatie

Accessible with minor limitations. Separate tours for wheelchair users (max. 10 people plus companions) and for blind and visually impaired people with tactile objects.

Kinderen & gezin

Erg geschikt voor kinderen & gezinnen

• Gezinsrondleidingen & workshops

The castle holds the "Familienferien" certificate. Regular special tours for children and families, such as search games with a craft activity; programs for kindergartens and schools.

Bereikbaarheid & parkeren

The entrance to the castle and museum is in the inner castle courtyard. By car via the A 3, A 6, A 7, or A 81 as well as the B 19 and B 290; by bike via the Taubertalradweg, which passes directly by the castle.

Service & horeca

• Café

Café in the castle garden (Schloss 14) with cake, breakfast, and lunch.

Evenementen & zaalverhuur

Het museum heeft hierover geen informatie gepubliceerd – vraag het rechtstreeks na bij het museum.

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