Museums, Cologne

Charlemagne's palace, the era of coronations and the tradition of pilgrimages have produced an unique and magnificent church treasure whose most famous pieces are on show today in the Cathedral Treasury. The oldest piece is a Roman sarcophagus which portrays a scene from ancient mythology, and in which Charlemagne was initially buried. From Charlemagne's palatine school in Aachen comes a book cover carved from ivory and showing scenes from the story of Christ's resurrection. According to medieval legend, several other pieces of the Cathedral treasure belonged to Charlemagne himself, one of them a hunting horn fashioned from the tusk of an elephant. http://www.route-charlemagne.eu/Stationen/Dom/Domschatzkammer/index.html?lang=EN

The Football Museum is embedded in Dortmund's art and culture mile, which includes the Dortmunder U, the Harenberg City Center, the RWE Tower, the Museum of Art and Cultural History and the City and Regional Library. https://www.dortmund-tourismus.de/en/discover-dortmund/culture/museums-exhibitions/poi/dfb-football-museum.html

The Museum of Laundry, in the old part of the city, offers you a journey through the history of soap, laundry and the living and working conditions of laundresses in Spa. Some twenty rooms tell you how women - and sometimes men - did the laundry from antiquity to the present day. You can admire the first wooden washing machines, discover the products used before the invention of soap, see amazing machines working... and learn how soap was invented and which processes were found to whiten linen. http://walloniabelgiumtourism.co.uk/en-gb/produit/attractions/activites/musea/discoveries/musee-de-la-lessive-laundry-museum-in-spa/9258

The South Sauerland Museum sees itself as an extra-curricular place of learning and seeks cooperation with schools, adult education centers, universities and other educational institutions. http://www.suedsauerlandmuseum.de/

Since September 16, 2018, the Sauerland Museum has reopened after years of construction. In its historic building from 1803 it is completely renovated and barrier-free, because the individual levels can be reached by elevator. Before the new building with the August Macke special exhibition opens in September 2019, the focus will first be on the permanent exhibition on the history of the Duchy of Westphalia. Prepared in a contemporary manner and shown in attractive themed rooms, museum visitors can comfortably move through the exhibition with an audio guide. https://www.arnsberg-info.de/geschichte/sehenswuerdigkeiten/sauerland-museum/#

Discovering 7000 years of art and history! What is the Grand Curtius Museum? This museum contains more than 7000 years of regional and international artefacts and more than 5200 items displayed in chronological or thematic order. You also can find prestigious collections from the archaeology, decorative arts, religious art and Mosan arts, as well as the weaponry and glass. The Grand Curtius located in the historical heart of the Ardent City, the Grand Curtius offers a fresh perspective of the city, houses gardens and a cafeteria that are open all year round. https://www.visitezliege.be/en/le-grand-curtius

This private mansion, built in approximately 1740 for a banker, pays witness, through its architectural features and decorative arts that are typical of Liège, to the sophisticated lifestyle of this era. Art objects are on display, whilst furniture from Liège and the rest of Europe depict what the interiors of the time would have resembled. The Ansembourg Museum also proposes exhibitions throughout the year which promote one aspect or another of the collections from Liège's museums. For the Ansembourg Museum, this beautiful mansion built around 1740, the first phase of restoration will soon begin. In 1903, the city of Liège acquired the building, which in 1905 became its museum of archaeology and decorative arts. https://www.liege.be/en/discover/culture/museums/ansembourg-museum

The university Aquarium-Museum, pole of excellence of animal biodiversity, has been labelled « Museological Institution of Category A » by the Wallonia-Brussels Federation and has been accredited « Tourist Attraction 4 suns » by the Public Service of Wallonia. Approximately 2,500 representatives of 250 species of ocean, sea, lake and river fish from around the world populate the 46 pools of the Aquarium and nearly 20,000 stuffed animals from every continent are exhibited at the museum. https://www.visitezliege.be/en/aquarium-museum

The old factory where Philips made his first incandescent lamp, has undergone extensive renovation and been extended to an interactive museum where heritage and innovation come together. https://www.thisiseindhoven.com/en/locations/2225864208/philips-museum

Entrance 17 of Philips Stadium will take you to the PSV Museum where you can relive the most important events in the 100 years' history of PSV. A must-see for every PSV supporter, in fact, for every football fan. https://www.thisiseindhoven.com/en/locations/766302424/psv-museum

The Museum Wiesbaden is one of three state museums in the State of Hesse. Lovers of art and nature as well as art fanciers with a passion for the expressionism cannot do without visiting the museum. It owns more than 100 works of the Russian painter Alexej von Jawlensky, which forms the most important Jawlensky collection in Europe. https://www.wiesbaden.de/en/culture/museum/museum-wiesbaden/index.php

Experience history in the Netherlands Open Air Museum (Nederlands Openlucht Museum). Special encounters, smells, images and stories evoke unforgettable memories of everyday life as it used to be. http://www.arnhemnijmegenregion.com/arnhem/culture-and-heritage/museum/nederlands-openluchtmuseum

Experience the history of printing, book and writing "live": In the centre of the old town of Mainz, opposite the cathedral, is one of the oldest book and printing museums in the world. The Gutenberg Museum, founded by citizens of Mainz in 1900, is dedicated to the “man of the millennium” Johannes Gutenberg and his inventions. The museum's greatest treasures include two original Gutenberg Bibles from the mid-15th century. The reconstructed Gutenberg workshop is also one of the main attractions. Every day it is demonstrated every hour how printing was done in Gutenberg's time. A modern film introduces Gutenberg's life and work. With the audio guide (German, English, French) you can then go on a "listening tour" and get to know the highlights of the house in German, English and French. Five "extra tours" take you through individual departments. In the Gutenberg Museum, you can see printing presses from many centuries and get comprehensive information about European and non-European printing technology, the book art of many centuries, the history of paper and writing, the history of the press and much more. Our special collections include commercial and ex-libris, graphics and posters, press prints (small publishers) and artist books, which you are welcome to view in the Gutenberg Library (advance registration). In changing special exhibitions, examples of historical and modern book and print art and typography are shown and the link is drawn to the 21st century. https://www.mainz-tourismus.com/entdecken-erleben/kultur-erleben/museen/gutenberg-museum/

The Frankfurt Goethe House, birthplace of Germany´s most famous author and poet, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, was built in the typical 18th-century bourgeois style. It is decorated with period furniture and paintings, providing an authentic and striking impression of the environment in which Goethe spent his youth. The Goethe Museum, a gallery of paintings from the Goethe era, elucidates Goethe's relationship to the art and artists of his epoch. https://www.frankfurt-tourismus.de/en/Discover-Experience/Best-of-Frankfurt2/Frankfurt-Goethe-Museum-and-Goethe-House

The Archaeological Museum, formerly the Museum of Pre- and Early History, is housed in the Carmelite Church. A modern annexe designed by Joseph-Paul Kleihues has recently been added. The Archaeological Museum devotes itself to the investigation, documentation and presentation of archaeological findings of Frankfurt and its environs from pre-historic times, the Roman period, the Middle Ages and the modern era. https://www.frankfurt-tourismus.de/en/Media/Attractions/Archaeological-Museum

Established as a civic foundation in 1815 by the banker and businessman Johann Friedrich Städel, the Städel Museum ranks as Germany’s oldest museum foundation. https://www.frankfurt-tourismus.de/en/Discover-Experience/Best-of-Frankfurt2/Staedel-Museum

Museum De Waag brings city history to life! How did Deventer originate? Which inhabitants played a role in the history of the city? What did the river IJssel mean for the development of Deventer? Visitors to Museum De Waag receive answers to these questions in Flows through time. Deventer, city of the IJssel. This exhibition is on show from 23 June 2017 and tells the historical story of the city in five chapters. Specially developed 3D reconstructions and animations show how Deventer looked in the past. http://www.deventer.info/nl/zien-en-doen/zien/participant_id,10238/category_id,42/museum-de-waag

The museum displays old and new art inspired by Leuven’s versatility. The collection is mainly focused on the art production in Leuven and Brabant from the Middle Ages to the 19th century. It includes Constantin Meunier, Jef Lambeaux and Georges Minne. In addition to the permanent collection, M also presents temporary exhibitions of both old masters and contemporary artists. Discover the personalised offer for groups and families. The impressive architecture deserves special attention. Designed by Belgian top architect Stéphane Beel, the complex integrates historical buildings and contemporary architecture. Don’t miss the enclosed garden and roof terrace. http://www.visitleuven.be/en/m-museum-leuven

National Museum of History and Art, archeological section. The museum has a large archaeological collection, particularly of objects discovered during the various excavations: sarcophaguses, tools, coins, jewels, grave markers, etc. the most outstanding objects being found in the excavations at Dalheim (Ricciacus) and Titelberg. The visual arts section of this museum in the capital offers the possibility of admiring a wide range of Luxembourgish painting from the 18th to the 20th century, including the post-impressionist watercolours of Sosthène Weis, paintings by Joseph Kutter, Dominique Lang, Eugène Mousset, Jean-Pierre Beckius, Nico Klopp and Auguste Trémont as well as sculptures by Auguste Trémont and Lucien Wercollier. While the museum also houses ancient sculptures and paintings (including a Charity attributed to Cranach), it also has a collection of contemporary art of undeniable originality. https://www.visitluxembourg.com/en/place/museum/national-museum-of-history-and-art-luxembourg

As the town residence of the Grand Duke, the grand-ducal palace has unquestionably one of the most beautiful façades in the city (Flemish Renaissance, 16th century). Majestical interior and splendid above stairs (with light design by Ingo Maurer) can be visited exclusively during summer. https://www.visitluxembourg.com/en/place/castle/palace-of-the-grand-dukes

The new building of the National Museum of Natural History opened its doors to the public in December 1996. In this modern museum are presented in ten exhibition rooms the people, the regions and landscapes of Luxembourg and the development of life on earth as well as the origin of the universe. http://www.visitluxembourg.com/en/place/museum/national-museum-of-natural-history-natur-musee-luxembourg

Their origin goes back to 1644, when the Spaniards reinforced the medieval fortifications. Under the supervision of the Swiss fortress builder Isaac von Treybach, they built - among other defence works-the powerful Beck Bastion, named after Governor Baron Johann von Beck, a native of the city who had played a key role in the Wallenstein affair on the side of the Emperor. Initially this bastion was as high as the adjacent terraces on the right; it was raised to the present level of Constitution Square (the wall is 27 meters high) by Vauban in 1685. In 1673 the Spaniards erected the so-called "Ravelin du Pate" to strengthen the defence of the Beck Bastion; this triangular construction is one of the few well-kept fortifications. Marshall de Vauban conferred the present shape to all the Petrusse fortifications and built the "Small Staircase". From 1728-29 the Austrians added the "Bourbon Lock" and the "Large Staircase" and in 1746 the casemates of the "Petrusse Battery" (54 gun emplacements). One century passed and the fortress was enlarged and reinforced: the second ring was extended and the third started, so that Luxembourg became the "Gibraltar of the North". By and by, the Petrusse fortifications fell into oblivion and neglect, as their strategic momentum limited itself to the valley. After the dismantling, stipulated by the 1867 London Treaty, they confined themselves to walling up the loopholes and most entrances. Only in 1933 were the Petrusse casemates valorized again: on 26th July, the first visitors were able to visit them. https://www.visitluxembourg.com/en/place/castle/petrusse-casemates

Kunsthalle Bielefeld, designed by New York architect Philip Johnson and opened in 1968 as a museum and exhibition centre for international 20th century art, is a crowd-puller and one of the city’s landmarks. The famous cube-shaped modern building of red sandstone is also part of the architectural route ”Museum & Architektur”. https://www.bielefeld.de/en/attractions/museums/

Located in the heart of Hanau's historic district, the German Goldsmiths' House was built as the city hall on the Altstädter Markt in 1537-1538 in the style of the late Renaissance Period. http://www.goldschmiedehaus.com/en/goldschmiedehaus/en-historie

In the middle of the historic old town of Steinheim lies the castle with the Museum of Prehistory and Prehistory. The exhibition presents the first human traces in the Hanau region, testimonies of the Stone Age, Bronze Age and Roman times as well as relics of the early Middle Ages. http://www.hanau-neu-erleben.de/sw/sehenswert/museen/068108/index.html

The Toy Museum boasts one of the largest collections of toys in Europe. You'll find toys from all over the world, from early toys to modern. There's much more to a museum visit than just looking: you can play traditional games and relive historical events such as the Battle of Waterloo as if you had been there in person. Which of these toys did you play with yourself? And would young children still do so today? The museum brings memories of childhood flooding back for young and old. https://toerisme.mechelen.be/en/toy-museum-mechelen

Kazerne Dossin is a very special place of remembrance for Belgium. As 'SS Sammellager Mecheln', the Dossin barracks was a waitingroom for death for more than 25,000 Jews and gypsies from Belgium and Northern France during the Second World War. A brand-new museum has been built to record the historical significance of this place for present and future generations and to illustrate themes like racism, exclusion and human rights. The combination of the human rights theme and the historical story of the Holocaust in Belgium makes Kazerne Dossin a project of European interest. The new museum was designed by leading architect and former Flemish Government Architect bOb Van Reeth. https://toerisme.mechelen.be/en/kazerne-dossin

There was a Jewish Community in Worms for an uninterrupted period lasting more than 900 years. Many architectural reminders have survived and bear witness today to the former importance of Jewish Worms. https://www.worms.de/en/tourismus/museen/juedisches_museum/

EcoHuis is Antwerp’s green epicentre. Here you can find out how to build and live sustainably in the city. Visitors with green fingers learn how best to create their own ecological city garden and which animals and plants thrive in the city. Visit the Ecocafé for delicious treats and healthy snacks and juices as well as organic veggie meals. https://www.visitantwerpen.be/en/sightseeing/ecohouse

The Cinquantenaire park is comprised of a vast set of gardens dotted with monuments and museums. It is dominated by a triumphal arch with three arches. The park hosts numerous activities throughout the year: events, celebrations, firework displays, sporting events, concerts, etc. This place of interest was built in 1880 for the 50th anniversary of the independence of Belgium. The broad pathways lead to the Pavilion of Human Passions designed by Victor Horta, the Royal Museum of the Armed Forces & Military History, the Royal Museums of Art and History and to Autoworld. At the top of the three triumphal arches there’s a bronze quadriga and an unbeatable sweeping view over the whole of Brussels. https://visit.brussels/en/place/Cinquantenaire-Park

In the heart of Antwerp is the home of Peter Paul Rubens, the famous 16th-17th--century Baroque painter. For four hundred years, he and his work have been a source of inspiration and a reference. And to think that he created the bulk of his work in this house. Rubens was a fan of Rafael’s, the Italian painter. It is hardly surprising, therefore, that in 1610, just as his idol, Rubens designed his own city palace. Near the Meir, which has always been a sought-after part of the city. This is the house where Rubens created his masterpieces, his children played in the garden and he received his high, noble and even royal guests. And in the meantime, a team were working hard on his paintings in the studio. At his peak, Rubens could not cope alone and led a team of professional artists. https://www.visitantwerpen.be/en/sightseeing/the-rubens-house

Visitors to Antwerp have been flocking to the hip Eilandje district, an old dockside neighbourhood, to visit the MAS | Museum aan de Stroom, which opened in 2011. This is where the city and the port – the second largest port in Europe even – converge. The stunning architecture and the museum collection are perfect examples of this. The MAS has a phenomenally large collection, which to date comprises about 500,000 items, including artworks and utensils. New objects are constantly being added to the collection. The museum uses its entire collection to weave a new narrative, based on five universal themes, on just as many floors. The MAS takes a closer look at power politics and world ports. At how food shaped and will shape today’s metropolises in the past, present and future. And at life and death, of people and gods, in the upper and under world. Moreover, the third floor and the walking boulevard host some fascinating and highly diverse temporary exhibitions. https://www.visitantwerpen.be/en/sightseeing/museums/mas-museum-aan-de-stroom-en

The Belgian Comic Strip Center has been honouring the creators and heroes of the 9th Art for more than 25 years. The regularly renewed permanent exhibitions and a diversified programme of temporary exhibitions enable visitors to discover the countless aspects of comics art. Tintin and the Smurfs lead the way towards further adventures, an encounter with a world where creativity has no limits. Enhanced by an exceptional Art Nouveau home designed by Victor Horta, the Belgian Comic Strip Center is just as much a tribute to the pioneers as a glimpse of contemporary comics art. https://visit.brussels/en/place/The-Belgian-Comic-Strip-Center