Welcome to the realm of knowledge in the Baroque era: Stepping onto creaking floorboards into the quiet grandeur of our historical library hall, one is immediately enveloped by the collective knowledge of the Early Modern period. Like stage sets in a Baroque theater, the original bookshelves jut into the space, housing around 50,000 books from all fields of knowledge. Behind unassuming book spines lie remarkable treasures, such as the first German Bible printed in America.

At the end of the 17th century, the orphanage's library was established as one of the first public libraries in Germany. Primarily through donations, book exchanges, and their own publications, the library grew so rapidly that within a few years, it was comparable to significant German university libraries. In 1728, it received its own building, which is considered the oldest surviving secular library structure in Germany. Not only in recent times has the library been visited by guests and researchers from around the world: Albrecht von Haller, Johann Joachim Winckelmann, and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe all admired its bibliophilic treasures. We present a selection of them for you in rotating cabinet exhibitions in the former reading room of the library.

10 am - 5 pm

The Art and Natural History Chamber is considered the oldest German museum room. It was established by August Hermann Francke for educational purposes and is now once again set up according to the original museum concept of the 18th century in its historical location in the attic of the Historical Orphanage.

Eighteen richly decorated collection cabinets house approximately 3000 natural specimens, curiosities, and artifacts. They provide a unique impression of a Baroque cabinet of curiosities. Unlike modern museums, the chamber follows an encyclopedic collecting approach. A distinction is made between natural specimens and artifacts. The natural specimens are divided into rocks, plants, and animals, while the artifacts are categorized into visual arts, calligraphy, coins, everyday culture, and clothing. The goal was to create a mirror image of the world: a microcosm that made the macrocosm as the wonderful creation of God tangible.

In a series of events, art projects take place around the Art and Natural History Chamber. In the so-called "Contemporary Reflections on the Art and Natural History Chamber," foundations invite artists to engage in an artistic dialogue with the chamber.

Detailed information

Tue-Sun 10am-5pm

Palace-like, the orphanage rises on Franckeplatz. Then as now, it is the centerpiece of the Francke Foundations. Erected in 1698 as the first building of the school city, it represents a new facet of European Baroque, combining confident representation without extravagant ornamentation and setting the tone for orphanage architecture.

Today, the orphanage is our museum and cultural center. Right from the start, two permanent exhibitions guide you through the history of the foundation and the global impact of Pietism. On the first floor, the former prayer and singing hall surprises with its bright architecture. Today, it enjoys an excellent reputation as a concert hall due to its fantastic acoustics. In the adjacent conference rooms, a photo exhibition showcases the impressive renovation work since the foundations were reestablished in 1991. The second floor is reserved for our changing special exhibitions, which provide insight into important themes of the foundation's history from both a historical and contemporary perspective. Passing through the art and natural history collections in the attic, you reach the balcony via a narrow wooden staircase. Here, a wide view opens up over the impressive ensemble with school buildings from three centuries. There is also a splendid panorama of the Old Town of Halle from here. In the basement, children can explore their own paths in the Krokoseum.

10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

What power does the word have? For Halleschen Pietismus, the word was of central importance. On the ground floor of the Historical Orphanage, we show you how August Hermann Francke's reform movement could spread around the world.

Francke developed central reformative goals of Martin Luther's with Halleschen Pietismus. His approach was as clear as it was revolutionary: Every person should find God through their own Bible reading. However, for this to happen, everyone - boys and girls alike - had to learn to read, everyone should be able to afford their own Bible and it should be printed in their own native language. Therefore, Francke established schools for all social classes, printed millions of German-language People's Bibles, and created an international network through which the Bible was translated into many other languages. His educational initiative allowed a broad population to engage with the word. In the 18th-century evangelical parsonages, the authors of the Romantic and Enlightenment periods were highly regarded. A culture of self-reflection spread in Pietism, which was reflected in diaries and personal testimonies, giving us remarkable insights into the spiritual life of people of that time. Symbolically, the power of the word is also evident in the meticulously restored pulpit from the Church of St. Ulrich in Halle, where Francke preached from 1715 and which you can admire in the exhibition.

10:00 am - 5:00 pm

4 talers and 16 groschen are considered the founding capital of the Francke Foundations. How an unparalleled school city grew from this unexpected donation to a simple pastor in Glaucha can be discovered on the ground floor of the Historical Orphanage. A multimedia installation and numerous extraordinary objects will transport you into the fascinating founding and impact history of Francke's work. Because what began with a school for the poor and an orphanage, developed in a few decades into a true reform project that was based on education: Over 2,000 students learned in various schools, specially constructed economic buildings, a hospital, and a pharmacy guaranteed the care of over 3,000 people on the premises, unique cultural-historical collections in the library and chamber of wonders were established, and Francke's ideas were spread within and outside Europe. August Hermann Francke wanted nothing less than a "world change through personal change." Discover everything he set in motion through this.

10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Ein Jahrhundert Mediengeschichte im TECHNOSEUM: Die Ausstellung zeigt die wichtigen Stationen – von der Inbetriebnahme des ersten offiziellen Radiosenders am 29. Oktober 1923 über den Aufstieg von Hörfunk und TV zu Massenmedien bis hin zu den Social-Media-Plattformen, die den Medienkonsum heute prägen. Mit dabei sind u. a. ein Hörfunkstudio des SWR aus den 1960er Jahren, eine Sende-Bildregie des Rhein-Neckar Fernsehens aus den 90ern und ein Original-Film-Set aus der Serie „Gute Zeiten, schlechte Zeiten“.

5 Vorstellungen an 5 Tagen Ihrer Wahl zum Preis: 75,00 €

Stellen Sie sich Ihren eigenen Spielplan zusammen.

Das Abo können sie bis einschließlich 31. März 2023 erwerben

Hier keine Tickets verfügbar

At sea, hooray!

Those who go in search of treasure on the 600 sqm water surface of the bathing area at AHOI! Rügen will find what they need. Kids and adults alike are well taken care of here. The fun never stops as you stride through the lazy river, the underwater whirlpool loungers work wonders - providing relaxation and fresh energy at the same time. Skillfully using the massage jets can help relieve tension without the need for a physical therapist, while the floor geysers are just pure fun. A swim channel leads to the 135 sqm large heated outdoor pool. Time flies by in no time here!

And while the kids cheer in the water, adults can relax in the sauna area. Also waiting for visitors of AHOI! Rügen is a more than 100-meter-long Black-Hole water slide with exciting light and sound effects. Deep relaxation is provided by the 35-degree warm pool and a heated whirlpool activates the senses. Additionally, there are bubble loungers, water geysers, and a large sunbathing lawn. For the smaller kids, there are three pools with a kids' slide and a little ship canal. If you want, you can join in the exciting fun program with the entertainers.

At sea, hooray!

Those who go in search of treasure on the 600 sqm water surface of the bathing area at AHOI! Rügen will find what they need. Kids and adults alike are well taken care of here. The fun never stops as you stride through the lazy river, the underwater whirlpool loungers work wonders - providing relaxation and fresh energy at the same time. Skillfully using the massage jets can help relieve tension without the need for a physical therapist, while the floor geysers are just pure fun. A swim channel leads to the 135 sqm large heated outdoor pool. Time flies by in no time here!

And while the kids cheer in the water, adults can relax in the sauna area. Also waiting for visitors of AHOI! Rügen is a more than 100-meter-long Black-Hole water slide with exciting light and sound effects. Deep relaxation is provided by the 35-degree warm pool and a heated whirlpool activates the senses. Additionally, there are bubble loungers, water geysers, and a large sunbathing lawn. For the smaller kids, there are three pools with a kids' slide and a little ship canal. If you want, you can join in the exciting fun program with the entertainers.

Sauna World, Steam Bath, and Aroma Grotto in Sellin

In The Butterland

"Butterland" is what sailors call a mirage that tricks them into thinking of home. When the sauna heat rises or damp vapors waft – that's when it might happen to you at AHOI! Rügen as well. It gets hazy, as sailors say, when the weather shifts and we no longer know which way is up. But in the sauna landscape, that's precisely the right mood to dive into fantasy worlds. So go ahead and set sail, sailor, take your sweetheart in your arms and shed off the ballast. Go on a pirate raid in the steam bath and drop anchor in the aroma grotto. Enough with the eternal nitpicking – just sit there like the mate on the lookout, staring into the distance, that's what it's all about now! Even true buccaneers enjoy lounging in the solarium. They drift in the cozy wind of relaxation, like in a hammock on deck. Our sauna infusions really heat things up, and they come, whenever they want or the crew wishes it.

Sauna World, Steam Bath, and Aroma Grotto in Sellin

In The Butterland

"Butterland" is what sailors call a mirage that tricks them into thinking of home. When the sauna heat rises or damp vapors waft – that's when it might happen to you at AHOI! Rügen as well. It gets hazy, as sailors say, when the weather shifts and we no longer know which way is up. But in the sauna landscape, that's precisely the right mood to dive into fantasy worlds. So go ahead and set sail, sailor, take your sweetheart in your arms and shed off the ballast. Go on a pirate raid in the steam bath and drop anchor in the aroma grotto. Enough with the eternal nitpicking – just sit there like the mate on the lookout, staring into the distance, that's what it's all about now! Even true buccaneers enjoy lounging in the solarium. They drift in the cozy wind of relaxation, like in a hammock on deck. Our sauna infusions really heat things up, and they come, whenever they want or the crew wishes it.

In der Preview-Ausstellung „Das Mittelalter. Die Kunst des 15. Jahrhunderts“ (07.04.2022 – 01.10.2023) präsentiert das Germanische Nationalmuseum über 20 hochkarätige Werke mittelalterlicher Kunst aus eigenem Bestand. Die bildgewaltigen Exponate veranschaulichen den Übergang vom Mittelalter zur Neuzeit als Zeit größter künstlerischer Innovation. Darüber hinaus bietet die Sonderausstellung Einblicke in die Neugestaltung der Dauerausstellung wie auch in die Arbeit der der Restaurator*innen an den jahrhundertealten Exponaten. Freuen Sie sich auf neue Entdeckungen und faszinierende Geschichten der Kunst des15. Jahrhunderts!

Di bis So von 10:00 bis 18:00 Uhr, Mi von 10:00 bis 20:30 Uhr, Mo geschlossen.

Auf Einladung von Professor Dr. Matthias Wemhoff, Direktor des Museums für Vor- und Frühgeschichte, präsentiert die in Berlin lebende und arbeitende österreichische Künstlerin Uli Aigner unter dem Titel DER PORZELLAN CODE – ONE MILLION BY ULI AIGNER ihr lebenslanges Kunstprojekt ONE MILLION im Neuen Museum / Museum für Vor- und Frühgeschichte – Staatliche Museen zu Berlin. „Die Verbindung von Gefäßkeramik aus der Stein-, Bronze- und Eisenzeit mit den Porzellangefäßen macht die geradezu urtypische Formenkraft im künstlerischen Schaffen von Uli Aigner deutlich – Mensch und Ton, nicht nur in der Schöpfungsgeschichte eine unauslöschliche Verbindung.“ Matthias Wemhoff, Direktor

 

Durch ihren Körpereinsatz entstehen weiße Gefäße – Gefäße aus Porzellan, aus weißem Gold, wie das Material auch genannt wird –, die zunächst einmal nicht mehr als formschöne, präzise gefertigte Gebrauchsobjekte zu sein scheinen. Doch die Gefäße sind Teil eines umfassenden Konzeptes, basierend auf Austausch und Vernetzung. Jedes Gefäß entsteht im persönlichen Gespräch mit den Auftraggeber:innen und bezieht sich funktional und formal auf deren individuelle Wünsche, Vorlieben, Träume und Sehnsüchte. „ONE MILLION Porzellan ist die physische Spitze eines digitalen Eisbergs. Das Vorhaben, bis an mein Lebensende 1.000.000 Porzellan-Essgefäße mit meinen eigenen Händen zu drehen, begann im Jahr 2014. In jedes Objekt graviere ich eine Nummer in der analogen Reihenfolge seiner Herstellung. Sämtliche ONE MILLION Gefäße entstehen in eigenständigen aufeinander folgenden Projekten. Zu jedem Gefäß legen wir einen interaktiven Datensatz im Netz an. Form und Standort eines jeden einzelnen Gefäßes sind auf einer digitalen Weltkarte verzeichnet. Auf einer horizontalen Timeline sind alle Gefäße, die seit 2014 bis heute entstanden sind, chronologisch abgebildet.“ Uli Aigner

 

Mit der Ausstellung DER PORZELLAN CODE zeigt das Museum für Vor- und Frühgeschichte erstmals umfassend Uli Aigners Wirken und die vielfältigen Deutungen davon. Mit Hilfe und unter Einsatz von verschiedenen Medien – Film, Installation, Intervention und Skulptur – gelingt es der Künstlerin, die nach ihrer Töpferlehre Produktdesign bei Matteo Thun an der Universität für angewandte Kunst in Wien und Digitale Bildgestaltung bei Thomas Hägele an der Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg studierte, Erfahrungsräume zu schaffen, die den persönlichen Zugang zum lebenslangen Kunstprojekt ONE MILLION erschließen. Die verschiedenen Medien aktivieren auf unterschiedliche Weise die einzelnen Sinnesorgane. Die Besucher:innen durchschreiten die großen Ausstellungssäle und stoßen zwischen den hochkarätigen Objekten aus prähistorischer Zeit auf die Werke der Künstlerin.

 

Für die Interventionen ONE MILLION – TIME TRAVELLER in den Vitrinen der Sammlungen des Museums für Vor- und Frühgeschichte hat der Kurator der Ausstellung, Dr. Benjamin Wehry aus dem ONE MILLION Archiv Gefäße ausgewählt und in den Vitrinen jeweils neben dem Gefäß ähnlicher Formgebung aus der Steinzeit, Bronzezeit und Eisenzeit positioniert. „Die Kunstinstallation „Der Porzellan Code –ONE MILLION BY ULI AIGNER“ ist in einzigartiger Weise geeignet, die Brücke zwischen moderner angewandter Kunst und prähistorischen Gefäßfunden zu schlagen. Durch ihre Bemühungen, das Kultur- und Zeitübergreifende von Form und Funktion fassbar zu machen, hat Uli Aigner einen ganz neuen Blick auf prähistorische Gefäßkeramik, an dem sie uns mit ihrer Kunstinstallation teilhaben lässt. Gefäße von Uli Aigner finden Gegenstücke in den Sammlungen des Museums für Vor- und Frühgeschichte und führen eindrucksvoll vor Augen, dass Form und Funktion über Jahrtausende tradiert werden.“ Benjamin Wehry, Kurator

 

Weiter zu sehen sind u.a. die Installation ONE MILLION – ARCHIVSKULPTUR 2022 oberhalb der Monumentaltreppe und der Experimentalfilm ONE MILLION – RESHAPE II – 2014–2022 in der monumentalen Treppenhalle im Neuen Museum sowie Die ONE MILLION Skulpturen – ITEM 3501 & ITEM 350, die sich zwischen Bronzezeit- und Eisenzeitsaal befinden. Begleitend zur Ausstellung finden Vorträge und zwei Wandelkonzerte (Uraufführung) statt.

Eine Spirale offenbart das Fortschreiten des Chaos.

»Die Spirale ist ein Versuch, das Chaos zu kontrollieren. Sie hat zwei Richtungen. Wo platziert man sich, in der Peripherie oder am Scheitel der Spirale? Der Beginn an der Außenseite ist die Angst, die Kontrolle zu verlieren; das Hineinschlängeln ist eine Verengung, ein Rückzug, eine Verdichtung bis hin zum Verschwinden. Die Bewegung nach außen ist eine Darstellung des Gebens und Aufgebens der Kontrolle, des Vertrauens, der positiven Energie, des Lebens selbst. Spiralen – wie auch immer man sich dreht – stellen die Zerbrechlichkeit in einem offenen Raum dar. Angst hält die Welt in Bewegung.« – Auszug von Louise Bourgeois: »Spiral« (2019) 

Muscheln wurden im Laufe der Geschichte als Währungsmittel eingesetzt. Ihre biologischen Strukturen widerspiegeln die Entstehungsmuster neuer Währungen, die durch Iteration gekennzeichnet sind, oder anders ausgedrückt, durch all dem, was in früheren Bestrebungen einkalkuliert ist und war. Der Versuch, das Ganze in seinen Einzelteilen zu verstehen lässt sich durch das Studium der Struktur einer Muschel verbildlichen: das verkalkte materielle Netzwerk – die Anordnung von spiralförmigen Linien und reliefartigen Mustern mit verdeckten interpretativen Ursprüngen. Letzten Endes ist all das, was eine Molluskenschale ausmacht, auch ein Teil der treibenden Kraft des Atlantischen Ozeans.

»Call Signs«, 2021, von Jazmina Figueroa ist teils maschinengeneriert und teils sensorisch – es basiert auf den subversiven und radikalen Traditionen einer sich immer weiter ausdehnenden Landschaft der Informationsmedien. Das Projekt ist das Ergebnis der zweimonatigen Research Residency von Jazmina Figueroa am ZKM | Karlsruhe im Rahmen von »Beyond Matter«, einem internationalen, kollaborativen, praxisbasierten Forschungsprojekt.

New Colonial History Permanent Exhibition

Exotic exhibits from the former German colonies in Africa, China, and the South Seas transport visitors back to the years from 1885 to 1914.

The history of the German colonies in Africa, China, and the South Seas is presented in detail and critically examined in the new permanent exhibition. The museum draws from its extensive ethnographic collection, founded by Museum creator Carl Frowin Mayer between 1894 and 1917.

How was the topic of "colonies" discussed in Offenburg, and what connections were there to the distant possessions? Who donated objects from the German "protectorates" to the museum, and how did that come about? What image of the colonies, and especially of the people in the colonies, was portrayed in the Offenburg museum? Collections from big game hunters, missionaries, development workers, and travelers from Offenburg and the surrounding area from 1918 to the present demonstrate that the consequences of colonialism are still visible today.

The Cron Collection with its big game taxidermy from Africa and Asia is also presented in a new colonial historical context. The famous "hornless rhinoceros" is back in its original location, pointing to current developments related to both colonial history and globalization. In addition to colonial historical issues, current problems such as big game hunting, economic dependencies, and racism are addressed. 

Artist Angelika Nain has created a very personal approach to the subject with her print series "Still... " (the originals are on display in a separate room). She portrays the dark side of our global economic system and shows the consequences of exporting waste and weapons to developing countries: destruction and flight.

Tue - Sun 10-17 o'clock

The permanent exhibition on the life and work of Erich Maria Remarque offers a detailed look into the life, work, and thoughts of the famous writer through numerous photographs, documents, and manuscripts. The exhibition is bilingual, presented in German and English throughout.

Divided into seven sections covering his youth in Osnabrück (1898–1921), the years in Hanover and Berlin (1922–1928), the discussion around All Quiet on the Western Front (1928–1930), his exile in Europe (1931–1939) and the USA (1939–1948), his political works in the 1950s, and the 1960s leading up to his death on September 25, 1970 in Locarno, the exhibition attempts to highlight the ruptures, contradictions, and controversies in Remarque's life while emphasizing their productivity for his work. It illustrates Remarque's numerous psychological conflicts, aiming to resolve the apparent contradiction between the "bon vivant" and the "militant pacifist," and provides insight into his acquaintances, friendships, and marriages. Numerous originals such as the death mask or Remarque's original desk complement the presentation.

Another focus of the exhibition is the worldwide, often highly controversial reception of Remarque's works, which have been translated into at least 60 languages and continue to attract a global audience of millions.

An information terminal allows visitors to delve deeper into specific questions about Remarque's life and work. Another terminal provides access to over 2,000 photographs spanning all stages of Remarque's life, his residences, contacts, and the film adaptations of his works.

The exhibition is open for free visits on Tuesdays to Fridays from 10 am to 1 pm and from 3 pm to 5 pm, and on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 am to 5 pm. Guided tours for school classes and other interest groups can also be arranged outside regular opening hours. Tours can be scheduled with Mr. Martin Siemsen (siemsen.m@osnabrueck.de) by phone at 0541/323-2109 or fax at 0541/323-4355.

A shop on-site offers materials related to Remarque's life and work for sale.

Permanent exhibition on urban history

The urban history exhibition illustrates the political and economic path of Offenburg from the Revolution of 1848 to the economic miracle of the 1950s and 60s.

At the beginning of the Revolution of 1848, the urban history exhibition starts and takes the visitor through the times of upheaval and change in Offenburg and the region.

At the beginning of the 19th century, Offenburg is a tranquil town with just under 2,400 inhabitants. 170 years later, there are already 33,000 citizens. During this period, the city experiences industrialization, two revolutions, three wars, two inflations, emigration and immigration, dictatorship, and a democratic new beginning.

Four main themes are focused on:

• History of democracy

• Migration

• Mobility

• Economic history

The exhibition illustrates the political and economic path of Offenburg into modernity, from the Revolution of 1848 to the economic miracle of the 1950s and 60s. It combines treasures from the archives with modern media and playful elements such as an animation on emigration to North America, audio stations, and film sequences.



Photo: Karl Schlessmann

Closed on Mondays
Tue-Sun 10am-5pm

Approximately 1000 years of city history, told in an exciting way through five stations, await visitors to the new permanent exhibition on the city's history.

A media station sheds light on the unsolved history of the city's founding. Excavation finds from the Early Middle Ages remind us of the first traces of settlement by the people of Offenburg. How did Offenburg families live, work, and reside 600 years ago? The focal point of the exhibition is a historically staged library room where visitors can admire, uniquely in the world, the globe segment map created by the cartographer Martin Waldseemüller. It is considered the "birth certificate" of America. The importance of faith, church, and monasteries in the Imperial City of Offenburg is illustrated by noteworthy objects related to religious folk art. The impact of the wars of the 17th century on the city and its inhabitants is revealed through contemporary objects from the museum collection. The exhibition concludes with the reconstruction after the city fire and the end of the Imperial City epoch, signaled by an intriguing espionage story.

Opening Hours:
Tue - Sun 10am-5pm
Closed on Mondays

The castle with a lot to offer: "HerrschaftsZeiten! Erlebnis Cadolzburg" from June 24, 2017 at the Cadolzburg - the new highlight of the Nuremberg Metropolitan Region

A powerful castle - the setting of the illustrious history of a ruling family that has achieved great success: this was and is the Cadolzburg. The rulers were the Hohenzollern family, who ruled over Franken and later Brandenburg, also gaining electoral dignity in the 15th century. Later on, they even became Prussian kings and German emperors.

The Cadolzburg derives its radiance not only from its role as the starting point of a significant career in the Holy Roman Empire - the impressive structure itself reflects this golden era of the Hohenzollerns. The new museum "HerrschaftsZeiten! Erlebnis Cadolzburg" of the Bavarian Administration of State Castles will make this time - the late Middle Ages - exciting and informative for visitors through innovative communication concepts. While walking through the castle, visitors can learn not only about the architectural history, wars and peace, daily life, and governing tasks of the princely castle residents. There is much to discover here through interactive and sensory means:

Visitors can experience the castle through their sense of smell, there are tactile stations, sounds and dialogues, vivid models, and invitations to try things out. Exciting or challenging games, medieval Hohenzollerns in their own words, and the jester Contz who guides visitors through the castle bring the Middle Ages to life. Visitors can also expect to see several original medieval artifacts such as swords, maces, or a magnificent treasure chest. Other objects were specially crafted for the museum based on extensive research in historical techniques, such as the gilded armor of the famous General Albrecht Achilles, or textiles dyed according to original recipes. The Bavarian Administration of State Castles also made significant contributions to experimental historical research, like creating a breastplate from boiled leather, in line with the ambition of creating one of Germany's most important castle museums.

The cultural communication of the Bavarian Administration of State Castles also offers a diverse program of accompanying events, making this exciting history even more intriguing - for the young nobleman as well as the castle enthusiast.

Not only the Middle Ages but also the Cadolzburg itself now comes back to life. After the extensive damage of World War II, original medieval rooms and successful architectural creations of the 21st century can now be experienced. The modern buildings completed in 2017 bridge the medieval era with our present time.

You can expect very special experiences here - it truly is THE CASTLE WITH A LOT TO OFFER.