The Germanisches Nationalmuseum (German National Museum) in Nuremberg is the largest museum of cultural history in German-speaking countries and one of the most significant museums in the world. Its enormous collection contains over 1.3 million objects, spanning the period from the Stone Age to the present day.
Covering an area comparable to a football field, the museum houses 600,000 years of European cultural history. Under one roof, you will find prehistoric tools, treasures from the Bronze Age, masterpieces by Albrecht Dürer, the oldest surviving globe in the world, and works by contemporary designers.
The museum welcomes over 400,000 visitors from around the world each year. Its permanent exhibition features more than 22,000 authentic originals, while the total number of items in its collection exceeds 1.3 million. Seventeen permanent exhibition halls guide visitors through all eras of German history – from a Stone Age axe to Bauhaus posters.
History of the Germanisches Nationalmuseum
The museum was founded in 1852 on the initiative of a Franconian nobleman, Hans Freiherr von und zu Aufseß. His ambition was truly grand: to create an "ordered general repertoire of all original source material on German history, literature and art."
The idea for the museum was born against a backdrop of political events. In 1848, the attempt to unify the German states failed. In response to this defeat, Aufseß decided to document the cultural unity of the German-speaking space – what politics had failed to achieve.
The museum`s name comes from the word "germanisch" (Germanic), which in the context of the 19th century referred to "the areas where German used to be spoken" – in other words, the entire German-speaking cultural region. With the creation of the German Empire in 1871, the museum officially became the national museum of German art and culture.
The Building of the Germanisches Nationalmuseum
In 1857, the King of Bavaria gave the museum a former Carthusian monastery on the southern edge of Nuremberg`s Old Town. This unique 14th-century architectural ensemble, with its cloister (a covered gallery around the courtyard), church, and monks` cells, became the ideal space for the growing collection.
The constant growth of the collection required expanding the building. In the early 20th century, neo-Gothic buildings were added along the Frauentormauer wall. During and shortly after the First World War, the "Galeriebau" (Gallery Building) by architect German Bestelmeyer and the building by Kornmarkt were erected.
The Second World War caused serious damage: the original monastery building was destroyed by bombs. However, the museum was rebuilt after the war. Its modern appearance was shaped by the buildings of architect Sep Ruf from the 1950s and 1960s at Kornmarkt, as well as the glass structure of the Museum Forum with its current entrance hall, designed by the ME DI UM architectural group.
Today, the architecture of the Germanisches Nationalmuseum is called a "monument in itself," as it is spread across numerous buildings constructed in different eras. In front of the museum, you will be greeted by the "Way of Human Rights" (Strasse der Menschenrechte) by Israeli sculptor Dani Karavan – an important accent in Nuremberg`s cityscape.
Architecture of the Germanisches Nationalmuseum
The Old Monastery (Karthäuserbau) is the heart of the museum. These are the preserved parts of the 14th-century Carthusian monastery. You will walk through the ancient cloister, where monks once strolled, and see how medieval architecture blends with modern museum spaces.
The neo-Gothic halls are buildings from the early 20th century, representing fine examples of neo-Gothic architecture with their characteristic pointed arched windows and decorative elements.
The post-war modernist buildings, works of the architect Sep Ruf, exhibit the strict, functional forms of the 1950s. The aesthetic of "organic architecture" with large windows and open spaces prevails here.
The Glass Forum is a modern extension with enormous glass walls that fills the museum with light and creates a feeling of lightness and transparency.
Permanent Exhibitions of the Germanisches Nationalmuseum
The museum immerses visitors in the depths of history with 17 permanent exhibitions arranged in chronological order. Here are the key sections you should not miss.
Prehistory and Early History
You will see hand axes made 600,000 years ago – the oldest objects in the collection. The exhibits from this era tell the story of the first settlements on German territory, the development of tools, and the transition from a nomadic lifestyle to a settled one.
Antiquity and the Early Middle Ages
This section presents the gold of the Merovingians and the jewellery of ancient tribes. Among the most valuable exhibits is a golden eagle fibula (brooch), adorned with precious stones. The golden headdress, around 3000 years old, deserves special attention. You can also see the cover of the Codex Aureus – a precious Gospel book from the Carolingian era, decorated with gold and ivory.
The Middle Ages: Knights, Saints, and Masters of Wood
Arms and armour: the German Middle Ages are represented by an impressive collection of weaponry and protective gear, from tournaments to hunting. You will see how defensive and offensive weapons changed over the centuries.
Sculptures by Veit Stoss and Tilman Riemenschneider: here you will find masterpieces by two of the greatest sculptors of the late Middle Ages. Their multi-figure altars, filled with drama and expression, are among the gems of the collection.
Toy kitchens and dollhouses: Nuremberg is famous as the capital of toys. The museum presents rare Baroque dollhouses and the famous "Nuremberg kitchens" – intricate miniatures used to teach girls housekeeping in the 18th and 19th centuries.
The Renaissance: Nuremberg`s Golden Age
Masterpieces by Albrecht Dürer: this section presents the works of Nuremberg`s most famous artist. Among them is the portrait of Charlemagne (1511/13), hanging opposite the portrait of Emperor Sigismund. These monumental works once adorned the halls of Nuremberg`s town hall.
The Behaim Globe (Erdapfel) from 1492 is the true star of the collection and the museum`s most valuable exhibit. Martin Behaim created the oldest surviving globe of the Earth in 1492 – the very year Columbus discovered America. On this globe, America is still absent, and Eurasia is depicted inaccurately. It is a unique testament to how people perceived the world at the dawn of the Age of Discovery. The globe is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Astrolabes and scientific instruments: the museum holds one of the best collections of Renaissance astronomical instruments, created by Nuremberg masters – renowned leaders in Europe in the field of precision mechanics.
Baroque and Rococo
This era of opulence and detail is represented by magnificent furniture, exquisite interiors, and grand portraits. The picture is completed by splendid musical instruments – the museum possesses one of the most important collections in Europe.
The 19th Century and Art Nouveau (Jugendstil)
This section covers the period from Classicism to Jugendstil (German Art Nouveau). Here you will find works of Biedermeier, Romanticism, and Historicism, as well as objects of applied arts – from porcelain to jewellery.
The 20th Century and the Present
The journey ends in the modern era. You will see works by Expressionists such as Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, as well as works by Rembrandt (including his self-portrait) and Hannah Höch, the famous Dadaist artist. The exhibition concludes with examples of classic design – from Bauhaus objects to contemporary art pieces.
The Most Valuable Exhibits
If you are short on time, focus on these six main treasures of the collection.
The first exhibit is the Gold Cone from Ezelsdorf (Goldkegel von Ezelsdorf). This mysterious bronze cone, covered with a complex pattern, dates from around 1000 BC. It was probably used in religious rituals. It is one of only four surviving conical headdresses from the Bronze Age in Europe.
The second exhibit is the Behaim Globe (Behaim-Globe / Erdapfel), the oldest surviving globe of the Earth, created in 1492 by Martin Behaim. The globe has a diameter of about 50 centimetres. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The third exhibit is the Codex Aureus, a precious Carolingian Gospel book, written in gold and decorated with a cover made of ivory and precious stones. It is a masterpiece of Early Medieval book art.
The fourth exhibit is the portrait of Charlemagne by Dürer (Karl der Große), a monumental portrait of the emperor painted by Albrecht Dürer between 1511 and 1513. The work is unique not only for its artistic execution but also for its historical significance to the imperial city of Nuremberg.
The fifth exhibit is the golden eagle fibula (brooch), a precious Merovingian-era brooch decorated with garnets and coloured glass. It is an outstanding example of Early Medieval goldsmithing.
The sixth exhibit comprises the sculptures of Veit Stoss, wooden altarpiece sculptures by the great German master, distinguished by their drama and expression. They are the signature piece of the museum`s Late Medieval collection.
What Else is in the Museum?
The Way of Human Rights (Strasse der Menschenrechte) : In front of the museum, you will be greeted by 27 white concrete pillars. The articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights are engraved on them in 27 languages. This is not just an installation but a powerful reminder of the values of modern democratic society.
The Library and Archive of German Art : The museum`s library holds over half a million volumes on the history of European art, making it one of the most important research centres in Europe.
The Department of Musical Instruments : This is one of the most important collections of historical instruments in Europe. Here you can see instruments from the Renaissance to the 19th century.
The Toy Collection : In a separate building – the former St. Lawrence`s Orphanage, acquired in 1999 and restored in 2002 – you will find the famous collection of children`s toys, including rare 18th-century dollhouses.
Museum Branches : These include the Imperial Castle Museum (Kaiserburg-Museum) in Nuremberg Fortress, which presents exhibits related to the history of the castle and the Imperial Regalia, as well as Neunhof Palace (Schloss Neunhof), a country estate north of Nuremberg with a collection of hunting weapons and furniture.
Even if you think that museums are boring, set aside time for the Germanisches Nationalmuseum. This museum is the perfect place for a rainy day in Nuremberg, although it deserves to be visited in any weather. Come in the morning, get an audio guide, and set off on a journey through 600,000 years of history. And if you get tired, have a snack at the Café Arte in the inner courtyard or relax at the Way of Human Rights. And remember: when paying in cash, you get a 10% discount on the entrance fee.
