Die Eulenburg. Universitäts- und Stadtmuseum Rinteln

Over het museum

The museum's beginnings go back to 1908, when a local history museum for the County of Schaumburg opened in Rinteln. The foundation was formed by collections of the local teachers' seminary and the Verein für hessische Geschichte. The museum is run by the Heimatbund der Grafschaft Schaumburg, which was founded as a museum association in the same year and has carried its present name since 1923.

The museum is housed in the Eulenburg, a medieval Burgmannshof (castle-men's manor) of the von Rottorp family. Later the building served as the town house of Möllenbeck Abbey and, from 1651 to 1821, as the seat of the Hessian-Schaumburg government. The museum moved in in 1938; between 1942 and 1967 operations in the building were interrupted.

At the end of the 1990s the building was renovated and the exhibition fundamentally redesigned. Since 2000 the permanent exhibition has shown, across around 400 square meters, five main themes: the town and fortress of Rinteln, the prehistory and early history of Schaumburg, the witch persecution of the 17th century, the history of the university "Academia Ernestina," founded in 1621 and dissolved in 1810, and the Weser landscape.

Dioramas, models, listening stations, and experiment stations complement the collection pieces from around 10,000 years. Besides the permanent exhibition, the museum shows changing special exhibitions and offers tours, lectures, and programs for schools and children.

Hoogtepunten

• Interactive model of the Hessian fortress town of Rinteln
• Listening stations on a Rinteln witch trial of 1654
• Contemporary copy of the "Cautio Criminalis," printed in Rinteln in 1631
• Section on the university "Academia Ernestina" (1621–1810)
• Archaeological "Zeitschacht" (time shaft) in the stairwell
• Walk-in micro caravan from 1965

Vaste collectie

• Stadt und Festung Rinteln – Everyday life and crises of the town from crafts and trade to plague and town fires, with an interactive model of the former Hessian fortress and garrison town and rotating display cases on town history.
• Hexenverfolgung in Schaumburg – In the 17th century Rinteln was a center of witch trials; listening stations let those involved in a proceeding of 1654 speak, along with original objects such as the executioner's tools and law books.
• Universitätsgeschichte – Paintings, books, physical instruments, and a model tell of teaching and student life at the University of Rinteln between 1621 and 1810.

Opgericht

1908

Beheerder

Heimatbund der Grafschaft Schaumburg e. V.

Directie

Dr. Stefan Meyer

Bezoekers per jaar

ca. 9.100 (2022)

Toegangsprijzen & kortingen

Members of the Heimatbund der Grafschaft Schaumburg have free admission. During the interactive exhibition "3. Rintelner Murmelherbst" (September 26 – November 29, 2026), admission is €3, for children aged 3 and up €2.

Toegankelijkheid

• Deels rolstoeltoegankelijk
• Lift
• 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

Most of the exhibition rooms can be reached by elevator and are wheelchair-accessible; the fourth floor (Weser section) cannot be reached by elevator, and there is a step in front of the witch trials section. Benches and portable folding seats are available in all sections.

Kinderen & gezin

Erg geschikt voor kinderen & gezinnen

• Gezinsrondleidingen & workshops
• Speurtocht, doeboekje of kinderaudiotour
• Doe- en voelstations
• Kinderfeestjes

Interactive stations, listening stations, and models in the permanent exhibition. Holiday workshops for 8- to 12-year-olds (max. 10 children, registration required), children's tours with original objects to touch, and a city and museum rally for 8- to 13-year-olds. Children's birthday parties by arrangement.

Bereikbaarheid & parkeren

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

Service & horeca

• Museumwinkel

Museum shop with regional literature, antiquarian books, and souvenirs.

Evenementen & zaalverhuur

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

Je bezoek plannen