Reutlingen city museum

In the heart of Reutlingen, a city with a rich tapestry of history and culture, stands the Reutlingen city museum, known locally as Heimatmuseum Reutlingen. Housed in the historic Königsbronner Hof, this museum is a treasure trove of the city’s past, offering visitors an immersive journey through centuries of social, cultural, and historical evolution.

The Historical Edifice of Königsbronner Hof

The Reutlingen city museum is set in the Königsbronner Hof, a beautifully restored half-timbered house in Reutlingen's old town. This building, one of the oldest in the city, dates back to 1278 when it was initially constructed as a stone house. It underwent significant expansion in 1537 with the addition of the timber framework that gives it its distinctive appearance today. Over the centuries, the Königsbronner Hof has served various purposes, from a tithe and administrative house for the Cistercian monastery Königsbronn to an Oberamtshaus, akin to a modern-day district office.

The Genesis of the Museum Collection

The roots of the Reutlingen city museum's collection can be traced back to 1889 when the first collection of municipal antiquities was unveiled to the public during a meeting of the Sülchgauer Antiquities Association. This initial collection laid the foundation for what would become a comprehensive repository of Reutlingen's historical artifacts. Over the decades, the collection expanded, necessitating a permanent home. After various temporary locations, including the Realschule and the Spendhaus, the collection found its enduring residence in the Königsbronner Hof in 1939.

A Journey Through Reutlingen's History

The museum's exhibits are thoughtfully arranged across several floors, each dedicated to different periods and aspects of Reutlingen's history. The journey begins on the ground floor, where visitors are introduced to the medieval history of the city, with a particular focus on the church history up to the Reformation. Here, the Marienkirche, the main site of the Swabian reformer Matthäus Alber, takes center stage.

Ascending to the first floor, the narrative shifts to the Free Imperial City's history from the 16th to the 18th centuries. This section highlights the significance and evolution of the twelve Reutlingen craft guilds and the annual Schwörtag, a traditional oath-taking ceremony.

The second floor delves into the literary history of Reutlingen, spotlighting the 19th century's wave of popular education and notable figures such as the economist and railway pioneer Friedrich List and the writer Hermann Kurz and his daughter Isolde.

The top floor, themed 19th Century - Dawn of Modernity, offers a panoramic view of the city's life in the late 1800s through a large-format circular painting composed of historical city and street photographs, complemented by everyday objects from the era.

In the basement, which served as an air-raid shelter during World War II, the museum addresses the impact and consequences of the Nazi dictatorship in Reutlingen. This section incorporates many exhibits from the 1995 special exhibition Reutlingen 1930-1950: National Socialism and Post-War Period, which received widespread attention for its thorough examination of the local history during these tumultuous years.

The Enchanting Museum Garden

Visitors can also enjoy the museum's walled garden, open to the public during the day. This outdoor space combines a small park with a lapidarium, featuring various sculptures, architectural fragments, historical tombstones, and other stone relics from the city's history, spanning seven centuries.

Special Exhibitions and Events

In addition to its permanent exhibits, the Reutlingen city museum regularly hosts temporary exhibitions on specific themes, primarily focusing on regional cultural and social history. These special exhibitions cover a wide range of topics, from Reutlingen's role in the German Revolution of 1848/49 to the history of winegrowing and winemaking culture in the city, and even the cultural history of underwear. One notable exhibition that garnered national attention was Journey to Reutlingen 1862, featuring stereoscopic photographs by Norwegian landscape photographer Knud Knudsen, who captured the first urban panoramas and street scenes of Reutlingen during his studies at the local pomological institute.

Part of the Historical Museums of Reutlingen

The Reutlingen city museum is part of the Historical Museums of Reutlingen, which also includes three other institutions:

Industriemagazin Reutlingen

Located in the old assembly halls of the former Wandel company in Reutlingen-Mitte, the Industriemagazin Reutlingen showcases the city's industrial history, particularly its machine-building and textile industries. The museum's collection includes historical machines and workpieces that illustrate the industrialization and social transformation of Reutlingen since the mid-19th century.

Museum 'Im Dorf' Betzingen

Situated in a former agricultural estate in the Betzingen district, this museum documents the transition from Betzingen's rural traditions to its industrialized status as a Reutlingen suburb in the 19th century. The museum also highlights the Betzingen artists' colony, known for its regional significance.

Samenhandelsmuseum Gönningen

Located in the town hall of Gönningen, a district incorporated into Reutlingen in 1971, the Samenhandelsmuseum explores the village's centuries-old seed trade tradition. The museum's exhibits, arranged in a recreated historical seed trader's packing room, depict the history and importance of the seed trade, which was conducted across Europe.

The Reutlingen city museum, with its rich collection and engaging exhibits, offers an unparalleled glimpse into the city's past, making it a must-visit destination for history enthusiasts and casual visitors alike.