City: Germany
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What to do and see in Germany, Germany: The Best History Museums
Coordinates: 51°N 9°E / 51°N 9°E / 51; 9
Restaurants in Germany
1. Gutenberg Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 937 reviews
Located in the hometown of Johannes Gutenberg, the founder of the printing press, this museum displays a recreation of his original printing press and a collection of other exhibits.
Reviewed By DAS1951 - London, United Kingdom
Very interesting museum with everything you need to know about the development of printing in Germany and Europe. Well-presented artefacts. Two original Gutenberg bibles and copies of his press (no originals exist).
2. Fortress Marienberg
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,216 reviews
This castle, the city's most prominent symbol since the 12th century, includes a museum, restaurant and formal gardens.
Reviewed By lucianonecar - Berlin, Germany
The opportunity to walk up the hill and experience the views, touch the walls, walk through adorned entrance doors, and see other aspects of the fortress from outside was unique. A must-do for those who come to Würzburg.
3. Schwarzwalder Freilichtmuseum Vogtsbauernhof
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 664 reviews
In the Black Forest Open Air Museum Vogtsbauernhof the Black Forest culture and history come to life. Visitors will find out how people lived and worked in Black Forest farmhouses during the last 400 years. As well as six fully-furnished farmhouses from different parts of the Black Forest, the visitors will find a labourer's cottage and about 15 outbuildings, such as mills, sawmills, storehouses, a distillery and a chapel, fields, kitchen gardens and a herb garden. The museum presents the many different faces of life in the Black Forest: its architecture, traditions, customs and trades, and the way people lived and farmed throughout the ages. Daily Events: Daily craftsmen demonstrations: Museum visitors are invited to witness traditional crafts. Mill demonstration: Daily at 11.00 am, 12.30 am and 2.00 Pm. Museum workshop for families: Here, under expert guidance, the museum guests can make various different pieces and objects, from key hooks to lanterns and hardwood baskets.
Reviewed By retireeVancouver - Vancouver, Canada
This fantastic open-air museum shows the house styles, the cultural habits, and the way of living in the Black Forest from the start of the 1600s to the end of the 1700s. The collection of farm and craft buildings come from the southern, central, northern regions of the Black Forest. There are about 10 houses to visit and numerous smaller buildings used for special purposes like a communal bakehouse, a blacksmith shop, a distillery, and various sheds for a saw mill and grinding mills. There even was a retirement home for aging parents. The houses are separated, spaciously, on the property with log fences encircling gardens or grassy areas. Visitors follow the pea gravel paths to reach each building. Take the brochure at the ticket office that shows the layout of the buildings on the property. It becomes evident, then, that the houses from south and central BF are clustered together near the Visitor's Center while the northern section with its one building has room for expansion. If time is limited skip that isolated house. The brochure also has general information about the times that certain demonstrations are given - mill, trade and craft demos. There are plenty of information boards on the property - in 4 languages - but an audioguide (4E, English, German, French) is also available at the ticket office. This map of the property can be downloaded from their website prior to visiting. We used about 1 1/2 -2 hours, but visitors should allow about half a day in order to have time to watch the various craft demos and to walk to the one building at the far right edge of the property. We focused on visiting the buildings clustered together in the area of the Visitor's Center. The only thing that this property might improve on is listing the exact location of the demos, especially the crafts; otherwise they have done a fantastic job in preserving and informing visitors about a life style very foreign to me. Admission is 10E. The houses are wood constructions and have thatched roofs that are wider than the frame of the house. The houses vary in size from a small laborer's cottage (still lived in to 1993) to a huge 3-4 level building. The houses didn't have basements. The ground floor was used as a barn for animals, the second level was used for accommodations, and the third level - a loft - for storage. Things stored included farm equipment, carriages. It was also a good area to dry and store herbs and nuts. One house even had its own small grind stone to mill flour from grains. Another used this area as a shoe shop while another used it for basket weaving. Different levels in the house were accessed by stairs, sometimes ladders. If the house had been built into a hillside, an exterior ramp was used to access the loft. That house had been on the property, while the other houses had been brought to the property dismantled, and, then, rebuilt, Each home was furnished according to its time period. Kitchens had home-made wood tables and benches. Ceramic fireplaces warmed the living area, but had no chimneys. Smoke flowed through the house resulting in black walls. Sleigh beds were made up with rustic woven bedding and had a night pot underneath the bed. A baby's crib would be placed in the parent's room, but other children seemed to have separate bedrooms from the parents. Windows were very small openings so that even on a sunny day it was relatively dark inside the rooms. It amazes me that chores like cooking and sewing were done in the dim light. In one house the people must have been literate as there was a very old hymnal, prayer book, and bible on display. Don't miss the modern Black Forest house (1980) at the rear of the property. It is such a contrast in its furnishings to those of centuries ago even though there is a similarity in style. I loved the 2 rooms for teens with beds unmade, computer on the desk, and a sign on the door that said, "Don't disturb". This building had WC and patio tables for refreshments. Every home had an information board on which the layout of the house was drawn, and facts about its original location, date constructed, owners, and the use of the rooms. These signs were in 4 languages. Other information on the boards may be about cultural and inheritance practices. For example, a family would pass the farm onto the youngest child and the elderly parents would be re-located into a house of their own. Such a retirement house was on the property. It had about 3 rooms. The children and parents had a contract which laid out the terms of when and how much the children would give to the parents for their maintenance. If a daughter wasn't married by the age of 25, she was sent to a nunnery. The eldest son had to leave the farm to make his own way - farming with in-laws, the army, priesthood. i enjoyed seeing the gardens and reading the information boards about what was grown. The herb garden was necessary for survival as there were no doctors nearby to provide either diagnoses or medicines. The farmers were self-reliant and grew herbs they knew would relieve colds or improve blood circulation. It was interesting to see which herbs were grown to cure various ailments - all labelled, of course. The trades buildings were grouped together. I could relate easily to this type of work and equipment needed as there is a commonality about blacksmith's shops (had a really big bellows on display), saw mills (crank operated though), grinding mills for making oils (hemp was a popular plant for this use), and an outdoor bake house. I didn't notice many animals about the place, except for a rabbit hutch and chicken pen. There may have been sheep further out in fields at the edge of the property. Children seem to be drawn to animals and the group of school children visiting, I'm sure, had no difficulty finding them. Another highlight of our tour was a baker giving us a demo of putting together a Black Forest cake step by step. After, we went into the cafe to eat a slice of that cake along with coffee - about 8E. The restaurant in the Visitor's center is large enough to handle a crowd. Order from a menu; table service. The gift shop includes literature about the area. Unfortunately, for women on bus tours, there is a long wait for WC in the Visitor's Center as there are just a few stalls (my only complaint). The large parking area is about a 5 minute walk from the Visitor's Center. There are local food stalls selling hot foods, ice cream, BF cake and coffee along that walk (fish and chips 7E, BF cake 4.50E, Coffee 2.80E, sausage in a bun 4E). Note that the BF railway has a stop at this attraction. There is a pedestrian passageway under those tracks to get from the parking lot to the Visitor's center. Scenic River Cruises arranged our excursion to this attraction. It was very worthwhile.
4. Germanisches Nationalmuseum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 805 reviews
The Germanisches Nationalmuseum is the largest museum of cultural history in the German-speaking region. Setting nation-wide standards through its scientific and scholarly achievements, it carries the reputation of a dependable reference point in the museum landscape. The museum investigates art and culture in German-speaking areas in an internationally integrated and innovative way, offering educational experiences in dialogue form. Insights and results are situated within their historical contexts. The exhibition captivates visitors by the aura and presence of the original, awakening curiosity in art and culture through the narrative around it.
Reviewed By ElleKaye73 - Chicago, United States
The first globe ever made is here! This well-laid out museum has something for everyone, from bronze age implements to medical weapons, to Durer artwork. We spent about 3 hours here, well worth the visit!
5. Senckenberg Natural History Museum (Naturmuseum Senckenberg)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,277 reviews
Fantastic display of dinosaurs from tiny trilobites to t-rex. In addition o the main attraction, there is also a floor dedicated to stuffed animals. Visitors of all ages would enjoy this museum.
Reviewed By ramonos87 - Frankfurt, Germany
If you Love Museums, then you will Love this One. It has a Great Exebition of All types of Prehistoric Dinosaurs. It is in the West Side of Town in Bockenheim. You can catch the S-Bahn 8 or 9 towards Hanau get Off at Hauptbahnhof Frankfurt am Main (Main Station), then Take the U-Bahn 4 towards Bockenheimer Warte, then you are St the Museum. Have a Nice Time!
6. Haus der Geschichte der Bundesrepublik Deutschland
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,092 reviews
Travel back in time through German history since 1945: Our exhibition starts with the post-War years, new beginnings and the division of Germany. Why did the Cold War come about? How did the two Germanies develop and what links existed between West Germany and Communist East Germany? What prompted Reunification and what challenges has Germany faced since? Political events and developments form the red thread running through the exhibition. Moreover, you will see a broad variety of objects relating to everyday life, culture, business life and world events. Each item in the exhibition has its own story to tell. We present the small private and the large public narratives that changed society. Contemporary witnesses report their personal experiences and memories of their youth. We offer additional special services for kids, families, school classes, students, adults and senior citizens, such as guided visits, audio guides and educational materials.
Reviewed By 355stefang - Brussels, Belgium
This museum is easily one of the better museums I've visited. Very large, very well thought-out, engaging, informational and insightful. I spent several hours working my way through the museum, which is organized in a linear fashion progressing through time starting with WWII up to reunification. Many, many items on display with description signs in English and German. More history than you ever wanted to know about the former West Germany (and incidentally/tangentially East Germany and Germany in general of course). Free admission. Gift shop and restrooms on site. Easy to get to via use of the Heussallee/Museumsmeile tram stop just steps from the museum. Definitely recommended.
7. Viking Museum Haithabu
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 305 reviews
Reviewed By GeorgeN1744 - The Hague, The Netherlands
The museum is very interesting, it gives an insight in the activities of this place more than a millennium ago. A reconstruction of the village with people in period costumes adds to the allure. In addition one can go for a walk around the lake. It was not quite clear what all this had to do with Vikings, except for the fact that it dated during their era.
8. Frankonian Open Air Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 158 reviews
Museum under the open sky A walk around the Fränkisches Freilandmuseum is like travelling back in time through the past 700 years of rural life in Franconia. More than one hundred buildings, most of them furnished with authentic furniture from their period – farmsteads, craftsmen’s cottages, shepherd’s hut, barns, stables, bakeries, drying houses for fruit and flax, a school, a municipal building and a manor house – make for an amazing journey of discovery, showing how Franconian people lived, worked and built their homes in times gone by. Walk from village to village The buildings are arranged in sevengroups, representing different regions and themes. So, walking around the museum site feels a bit like walking from village to village, as people would have done in the past. Of particular interest are the “Middle Ages” group and the “Town” group, located in Bad Windsheim’s old town, with the Spitalkirche (hospital church), the “Museum Kirche in Franken”.
Reviewed By ghanbg - Nuremberg, Germany
This is a remarkable open air museum - a collection of farm buildings from various centuries. Very spacious, lovely grounds, historically interesting and engaging. Also nice for kids, who will love exploring some of the buildings insides. There are places on the property to grab a bite + some cool playgrounds. The place is a bit off the beaten tourist tracks (for non-Germans), but if you have a chance to pass through, do visit it.
9. Siegfried's Mechanisches Musikkabinett
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 777 reviews
First German Museum of Mechanical Musical Instruments. Discover and enjoy: About 350 mechanical music instruments out of 3 centuries. Experience an eventful 45-minute tour with music. Tours are available in 9 different languages. We are situated in the Bromserhof, a knight's manor of the 15th century. Just above the Drosselgasse in Rudesheim am Rhein. Opening times: From March 1st onwards the museum is open from 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. every day. From 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. only on request. Reservation required. Minimum amount of 4 visitors. Visiting Siegfrieds Mechanical Music Kabinett is only possible with a guided tour since we operate the instruments for you.
Reviewed By 6richg - Virginia, United States
We were thrilled to see and listen to mechanical music boxes, instruments, player pianos and band-in-a-box marvels from all over the world and from throughout history. The amazing condition and variety of music still available for many of the instruments in their collection was surprising. I have never seen or heard so many different types of mechanical music in one place. Great for kids as well as adults.
10. Royal Palace (Residenzschloss)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 857 reviews
Reviewed By sgec1105 - Winterthur, Switzerland
The palace has been beautifully reconstructed. There is so much to see, that sensory and information overload are guaranteed! As another reviewer commented, this is truly a treasure trove. One wonders where and how they managed to keep so much stuff for the better part of 400 plus years! If your children are into knights, they will surely enjoy the life sized knights on the life sized horses in the exhibits. If you are into coin collections there is an amazing coin collection. If you like medals there are plenty of those too. Well, by now you must have gotten the idea, there is a lot to see and nearly something for every taste.
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