Historisches Museum der Pfalz

Description

In Speyer the Historisches Museum der Pfalz plays a central role in presenting the region’s cultural history. It is located immediately beside the Romanesque imperial cathedral and preserves a collection of about one million objects (as of 2018); the building opened in 1910.

The roots of the collection go back to the 19th century, when several holdings were merged and displayed at various locations in the town. At the beginning of the 20th century the growing collection moved into the current sandstone building; in the following decades expansions followed, including a new construction phase in the early 1990s. In 1985 the museum was transferred to a foundation; this form of governance and the additional special exhibition space of around 1,800 m² enabled a reorientation with a stronger visitor focus. A comprehensive renovation and structural modernization of the building are planned.

On almost 8,000 m² of permanent space the museum presents the history of the Palatinate from prehistory through Roman settlement to modern times. The permanent exhibitions are complemented by rotating major exhibitions on areas up to 2,100 m² that cover topics of local to international significance. Highlights on display include, among others, the Roman period with outstanding finds, the cultural history of viticulture — including a very old wine find from the 4th century AD — as well as large cultural-historical and thematic exhibitions on phenomena such as Vikings, samurai, Titanic relics, royal houses and iconic personalities. Some permanent exhibitions have most recently been temporarily closed due to refurbishment.

Since 1999 the institution has also operated the Junge Museum Speyer, which, as a children’s and youth museum, offers interactive exhibits, hands-on stations and age-appropriate special exhibitions. Storage and conservation/restoration areas are housed in a separate collections center.

The heritage-listed red sandstone building with a tower-like top shapes the town centre. A glazed inner forum serves as an event venue; after renovation work on the glass roof public programs are again possible there. A planning and competition procedure has been initiated for the extension; the aim is a functional reorganisation and enlargement of the usable area with an expected implementation period of several years and a budget in the low double-digit million range.