Museums, Wilhelmshaven

This nationwide well-known museum with the attached painting school is thanks to the founders Henri and Eske Nannen. The founder of STERN, Henri Nannen, opened a house for his collection in 1986 in his hometown of Emden, predominantly art of the Classical Modern Age. http://www.emden-touristik.de/themen/kunst-kultur/kunsthalle-emden.html

Bremen´s 'drawing room' is the Marktplatz, and its greatest attraction is the Town Hall. Guided tours of the historic building provide an insight into its fascinating 600-year history. The tour includes the impressive Upper Town Hall and a look into the splendid Golden Chamber. Since 2004, the Town Hall and the Roland have been inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List. https://www.bremen-tourism.de/bremen/offer/detail/DEU99999990039255330?lang=en

Paintings, sculptures, prints and media art from the past 600 years – Bremen's Kunsthalle is home to many styles of art.The Kunsthalle art gallery re-opened in summer 2011 after two years of renovation and the addition of two new wings. https://www.bremen-tourism.de/kunsthalle-bremen-art-museum

The tea factory and tea museum are housed in an old church and parsonage. Learn all there is to know about the production and different kinds of tea. The tearoom has the most extensive tea menu in the world, and there are different kinds of tea available in the tea shop. https://toerisme.groningen.nl/en/see-and-do/culture/museums-and-monuments

Hamburg's parliament, senate and mayor all have their seats in the City Hall on Rathausmarkt. Convenient as that may seem, it took quite some time for this distinctive building to become the Hamburg icon it is today. After several relocations, fires and other turmoil, the current City Hall is the sixth edition in Hamburg's history. Construction started in 1886 when 4,000 wooden poles were drilled into the muddy shores of the Alster Lake in order support the weight of the building, which would measure 133 metres wide, 70 metres deep and 112 metres tall. Special care was given to construct a passageway connecting the new building to both the Chamber of Commerce and the Hamburg Stock Exchange. The courtyard between these buildings resembles an Italian piazza and houses the Hygieia-fountain, named after the Greek goddess of health and built in remembrance of the cholera epidemic that swept through the city in 1892. After 11 years of labour, the City Hall with its 647 rooms was opened in 1897. Luckily, you don't have to be a German politician to get a peek inside this eclectic, neo-renaissance building. Hamburg's City Hall is open to the public, and visitors may join a guided tour or visit exhibitions housed inside. http://www.hamburg.com/sights/city-hall/

De Alde Feanen’ national park, which is located between Leeuwarden and Drachten in Northern Friesland, as the largest amusement park in Europe. However, Henk de Vries, director of the nature protection organisation ‘It Fryske Gea’ (the Frisian landscape), and Henk Dijkstra, who is director of the ‘Frysk Lânboumuseum’ agricultural museum, believe doing so is sacrilege. http://www.leeuwardenholland.nl/en/

The Landscape Museum Fishing - Unewatt is the Folklore Museum in Schleswig-Holstein, in which past and present can be experienced simultaneously. In the beautifully situated village Unewatt this museum takes place. http://www.museum-unewatt.de/museumsinsel.html

Celle is one of the most important residence cities in the state of Lower Saxony. For almost three centuries it was the permanent residence of the dukes of Brunswick-Lüneburg and therefore the seat of government in the most significant Guelphs principality. http://www.celle.travel/travel-tips/museums-in-celle/residence-museum.html

The Museumsberg Flensburg with its two houses is one of the largest museums in Schleswig-Holstein. Since its founding in 1876, the Museum of Art and Cultural History of the former Duchy of Schleswig, whose northern half since 1920 belongs to Denmark. https://www.museumsberg-flensburg.de/de/

Flensburg is a historic seaport and trading post. The Flensburg maritime museum explains the maritime history of the city with all of its stories about the port and merchant courtyards, the ships and shipowners, and the machinists and captains as well as their typical day on board. These are stories from far-off lands as well as from the coast of the homeland. Stories from the Danish West Indies about sugar, rum and slavery. Stories from the firth about butter transporters and women who spoke the Petuh dialect. Stories from the shipyard about engineers, riveters and welders. The museum offers a rich experience for all of the senses. It features interactive, hands-on stations that require you to participate, watch, listen and marvel, making a visit to the museum a journey of discovery for sailors of all ages. Special exhibits, promotional days, holiday programmes, tours of the museum and the city, knot-tying courses, rum tastings, concerts, readings and presentations create a rich variety. Feel free to browse the museum gift shop and pass time in the Café. https://www.flensburger-foerde.de/en/experience-culture/museums/maritime-museum/

The Museum August Kestner is named after August Kestner (1777-1853), who collected a considerable number of Egyptian and Greco-Roman cabaret as well as other works of art during his time as Hanoverian ambassador in Rome. The Museum August Kestner as the oldest municipal museum in the state capital of Hanover is enclosed by a listed glass-concrete façade (1961). Inside are still parts of the staircase and the side wings and almost the entire entrance facade of the original first museum building. As the only building in Hanover and far away, the Museum August Kestner shows 6000 years of applied art in four collection areas: Ancient and Egyptian cultures, applied art from the Middle Ages to modern design and one of the largest collections of coins and medals in northern Germany. Several special exhibitions per year also inform about special topics and place objects of the collection areas in a special context. https://www.hannover.de/Museum-August-Kestner/Das-Museum-August-Kestner

The Sprengel Museum Hannover, which focuses on German Expressionism and French Modernist painting, is one of the most important museums of 20th and 21st-century art. It was founded after the collection of Dr. Bernhard und Margrit Sprengel was donated to the City of Hanover in 1969. The new building was opened in 1979. Works by Max Ernst, Paul Klee, Emil Nolde, Pablo Picasso and Kurt Schwitters, as well as by groups of artists such as Die Brücke and the Blauer Reiter set the scene. Art after 1945 is represented in an impressive fashion by works by artists ranging from Gerhard Richter to Bruce Nauman. A special attraction are the rooms designed by artists, including the reconstruction of Kurt Schwitters’ legendary ‘Merzbau’, El Lissitzky’s ‘Abstract Cabinet’ and James Turrell’s light spaces. Particular emphasis in the collection is placed on photography. The Sprengel Museum Hannover unites the collections of modern art in what was formerly known as the Städtische Galerie and the Landesgalerie. http://alfredflechtheim.com/en/provenance-research/sprengel-museum-hannover/

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/

The landmark of the City of the 7 Spires! Beside the Brandenburg Gate, Cologne Cathedral and the Church of Our Lady in Munich, the Holsten Gate is the most famous German building in the world. The Holsten Gate became the proud symbol of Lübeck as a free imperial city. But it's not just the exterior that's a popular subject for photos. The "Holsten Gate Museum" is housed within the famous monument displaying the history of the Hanseatic League, trade, power and wealth. Ultimately, this is what formed the basis of the Lübeck merchants' success, which, in turn, influenced the importance of the medieval city. Visitors can discover the exhibition «The Power of Trade» together with historic ship models, suits of armour, weapons, legal instruments and articles of merchandise inside the building. http://www.luebeck-tourism.de/culture/museums/museum-holsten-gate.html

Take a visit to the Museum Harbour in Lübeck's Old Town and discover the Lisa of Lübeck and other historical traditional sailings vessels, it is also possible to sail with them, too. Centuries are tied up here. Behind the 100-year-old swing bridge, lies the home port with more than 20 seaworthy, traditional sailing ships. The old sailing ships were acquired and restored by lovers of traditional seafaring and are now berthed at the Untertrave against the picturesque backdrop of Lübeck's Old Town. The historical ships come to life when out on the Baltic Sea - why not take a trip! https://www.luebeck-tourism.de/discover/sights/museum-harbour.html

In the Buddenbrookhaus there is more to see than a still fascinating family or an unprecedented literary oeuvre. Even though Lübeck had a hard time with the poetry dynasty. In the 1920s, for example, the house sold by the Mann family in 1891 was initially a "Buddenbrook bookstore" and in the era of National Socialism the name of the novel had to give way. https://buddenbrookhaus.de/de/Museum/Museum

Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of merchants during the Middle Ages and experience the rise and fall of the erstwhile trading power. European history is brought to life in the Hansemuseum which provides the perfect setting for the phenomenon of the Hanseatic League. Nobody can deny that the Hanseatic League played a key role in German and European history and is still present in many people's minds today. Half a millennium passed from its rise as a trading power until its fall. The European Hansemuseum provides answers to many questions, such as how the Hanseatic League was able to survive over such a long period. Submerge yourself in the world and life during the era of the Hanseatic League and be a witness to oaths, diplomatic negotiations, piracy, trade boycotts, wars and the suffering during the great plague epidemic. https://www.luebeck-tourism.de/culture/museums/european-hansemuseum.html

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

Experience a historic time when you visit the Old Town Hall in Ribe, take a guided tour around in the historic rooms and listen to the horrendous stories! Ribe’s old Town Hall was built before 1496, and has been used as the town’s city hall from 1708 until 2007, when the last town councillor meeting was held. On the walls in old Commoner’s hall hang a collection of portraits of vassals and councillors from 1600-1900. The former debtors prison has been converted to a museum about the laws and statutes in Ribe. Stories are told about town halls, town gates and commerce. Here, you can see the town’s seal, standard dimensions, drinking cup, law book, and spiked mace, thumb screws and more. https://www.visitdenmark.nl/denemarken/reis-plannen/det-gamle-radhus-gdk610602

Esbjerg Art Museum houses a renowned collection of art from the 20th century onwards and also organizes temporary exhibitions of international contemporary art. http://www.visit-esbjerg.com/ln-int/esbjerg-art-museum-gdk610157

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

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

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/#

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/

The construction of Koldinghus started in 1268, when the Danish king wanted a castle that could guard the border between the Kingdom of Denmark and the Duchy of Schleswig. http://www.visitkolding.dk/ln-int/museum-koldinghus-gdk652622

The only museum in Denmark where you can see visual art, crafts, design and furniture design. The exhibitions always offer new and exciting experiences, featuring both international and Danish artists and designers http://www.visitkolding.dk/ln-int/trapholt-gdk608312

The biggest branch of the world-famous Hermitage in Saint Petersburg can be found in Amsterdam. Discover top works from the Russian collection in changing exhibitions. The museum was established in the Amstelhof, a monumental building on the Amstel river, in 2009. The art collection of the Hermitage in Saint Petersburg had become so extensive that the museum decided to put a range of works on display in branches. The biggest of these can be found in Amsterdam. The Russian art was initially on display in a small building but the Hermitage in the Amstelhof opened its doors in 2009. Just a year later, the museum welcomed its one millionth visitor. The Hermitage is one of the top attractions in Amsterdam. https://www.holland.com/global/tourism/destinations/amsterdam/museums/hermitage-amsterdam-3.htm

Anne Frank is one of Amsterdam’s most well known former residents. The Anne Frank House at Prinsengracht 263 in Amsterdam is where she lived in hiding with her family for more than two years during World War II. Now converted into a museum it contains a sobering exhibition about the persecution of the Jews during the war, as well as discrimination in general. The rooms at the Anne Frank House still portray the atmosphere of the period spent in hiding. Historical documents, photographs, film images and original objects that belonged to those in hiding and those who assisted them help illustrate the events that took place. Anne’s original diary and other notebooks are also on display in the museum. https://www.iamsterdam.com/en/see-and-do/things-to-do/museums-and-galleries/museums/anne-frank-house

The Rijksmuseum is one of Amsterdam’s grandest and most popular museums. Its vast collection showcases iconic art and a wide variety of artefacts that reflect more than 800 years of Dutch and global history, including jaw dropping paintings by the likes of Rembrandt, Van Gogh and countless more Dutch greats. With 80 galleries and 8000 objects on display, there’s never enough time to view the complete collection of treasures! Before you’re even inside the museum, you can enjoy the artistic whimsy of the sculpture-filled garden designed by Pierre Cuypers in 1901. Among the intricate topiaries, water features and colourful flowerbeds, an enormous wingnut tree looks over the play areas, installations and temporary exhibitions in the summer. And also its is only in Amsterdam would a national museum allow cyclists to speed right through it! The Rijksmuseum’s passageway connects the two halves of the atrium, with glass panels giving passers by a glimpse into the museum’s grand interior. The passage’s excellent acoustics make it popular among street musicians. https://www.iamsterdam.com/en/see-and-do/things-to-do/museums-and-galleries/top-10-rijksmuseum-highlights

The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam is one of the most popular museums in the world, attracting visitors from every corner of the globe. Naturally, this is in large part due to it housing the largest collection of works by Vincent van Gogh – more than 200 paintings, 500 drawings and 700 of his letters. Having originally opened on Museumplein in 1973, the Van Gogh Museum has been expanded and modernised over the years, ensuring it's a truly cutting-edge exhibition and visitor space. For both locals and far-travelling visitors, the Van Gogh Museum is a unique and inspirational experience. Alongside the legacy of Vincent van Gogh's instantly recognisable impressionist works, such as his landscapes, self-portraits and still lifes – especially ‘Sunflowers’ – the museum provides opportunities to track the artist's development and compare his paintings to works by other artists from the 19th century – those who inspired him and those who drew inspiration from him. https://www.iamsterdam.com/en/see-and-do/things-to-do/museums-and-galleries/museums/van-gogh-museum

A visit to the Stedelijk Museum takes the visitor on a journey through the last 150 years of art, presenting the best of modern art in Amsterdam. Iconic works by Karel Appel, Cézanne, Chagall, Marlene Dumas, Kandinsky, Edward Kienholz, De Kooning, Koons, Malevich, Matisse, Mondrian, Picasso, Pollock, Gerrit Rietveld, Warhol and many others are on show. The Stedelijk Museum’s design collection also traces the history of design from the turn of the last century to the present, showcasing furniture, ceramics, posters, jewellery and other objects. https://www.stedelijk.nl/en

A visit to the Museumsgården Karensminde is like entering another age. The farm is a visitation farm where the work is done, as was done during the farm's heyday in the 1700s and 1800s. The whole family can give a hand when, for example, the grain is harvested, potatoes are picked up or milked. Meanwhile, cooking on the old wood-burning stove is busy. At Karensminde there is ample opportunity to get close to the animals. For example, you can give a hand when cutting the sheep and picking up the eggs from the chickens. You can go for a walk in the barn and look at the pig, which often has piglets. On the green meadows, you find Mad's goat and the geese. The rabbits and guinea pigs enjoy themselves in their cages, and the cats lick the sun on the steps. You can also explore the many rooms of the farmhouse, where a story from the old days hides in every corner. The volunteers like to talk about their work and provide anecdotes about the history of the farm. They can tell you both about how to do the work in the old days, and about all the different people who have lived on the farm. You can bring your packed lunch and eat in a cosy setting or buy a cup of coffee with cake. https://www.visitbillund.dk/billund/service-information/museumsgaarden-karensminde-gdk677139

The Teddy Bear Art Museum is housed in the LEGO family's former private home in downtown Billund. The museum is an architectural gem from 1959 of 776 m2 and is today home to over 1,200 teddy bears. Enjoy the visit to the universe of teddy bears and discover that teddy bears are not only toys but also art. The museum has many different exhibits that show the charm and great diversity of the teddy bears. The museum is surrounded by an enchanting park-like garden of 10,512 m2 - a true oasis in the middle of Billund. The garden is open to guests during museum hours. Enjoy a lovely walk and all the lovely flowers and trees in the garden. https://www.visitbillund.dk/billund/service-information/teddy-bear-art-museum-gdk1102212