Germany's largest museum of German art and cultural history with over 1.3 million objects spanning prehistoric to contemporary times. The sword of Emperor Frederick Barbarossa and Dürer masterworks are among the highlights.
The Germanisches Nationalmuseum (Germanic National Museum) in Nuremberg is Germany's largest museum of German cultural history and art, housing over 1.3 million objects spanning prehistoric times to the present and occupying a complex of buildings centred on a fourteenth-century Augustinian monastery in the city's medieval old town. Founded in 1852 by Hans von und zu Aufsess as the first national museum in the German-speaking world, the institution was conceived to document the cultural heritage of the German nation at a moment when Germany was still a collection of sovereign states and German identity was expressed primarily through shared culture and history. The monastery church and medieval cloister, still incorporated into the museum complex, provide the historic core around which nineteenth and twentieth-century extensions were added. The permanent collection is organised across twenty-two departments covering fine art, applied arts, folk culture, scientific instruments, weapons and armour, coins, musical instruments, and prehistory. Among the most significant individual objects is the Behaim Globe of 1492, made by Nuremberg merchant and navigator Martin Behaim — the oldest surviving terrestrial globe and produced just months before Columbus returned from his first voyage to the Americas. Albrecht Dürer's Self-Portrait of 1500, the first known autonomous self-portrait in Western art conceived without a patron context or narrative justification, is one of the collection's defining paintings. The museum also holds the sword of Emperor Frederick Barbarossa (c. 1150), one of the few surviving objects directly associated with the Holy Roman Emperor. The Nuremberg Chronicles (Weltchronik) of 1493, one of the most extensively illustrated early printed books depicting world history, is displayed alongside an outstanding collection of German Expressionist and Romantic-era paintings. Extending along the museum's perimeter, the open-air installation Way of Human Rights (Straße der Menschenrechte) by artist Dani Karavan (1993) presents all 30 Articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on white concrete pillars in multiple languages.
| Admission | €10 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Tue-Sun 10AM-6PM (Wed until 9PM) |
Highlights
- Behaim Globe (1492): the world's oldest surviving terrestrial globe, produced before Columbus returned from the Americas
- Albrecht Dürer Self-Portrait (1500): the first known autonomous self-portrait in Western art
- Sword of Frederick Barbarossa (c. 1150): one of the few objects directly associated with the Holy Roman Emperor
- Nuremberg Chronicles (1493): one of the most elaborately illustrated early printed books, depicting world history
- 'Way of Human Rights' installation (1993): 30 pillars by Dani Karavan presenting the Universal Declaration in multiple languages
Tips for visiting
- Wednesday evening opening until 9PM offers extended time with lighter crowds for the permanent collection
- The medieval monastery church and cloister within the museum complex can be visited and are included in general admission
- The Behaim Globe and Dürer self-portrait are the most internationally significant single objects — prioritise these if time is limited
- Admission is free on certain cultural access days; check the museum's official website for current free-entry dates
- Combine with the Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds (2 km south) for a comprehensive Nuremberg historical day
Accessibility
The modern extensions of the Germanisches Nationalmuseum are wheelchair accessible with lifts. Parts of the fourteenth-century monastery buildings have limited access due to historic architecture. The 'Way of Human Rights' outdoor installation is fully accessible on level paving. A detailed accessibility guide is available at the museum entrance.
Frequently asked questions
Is the museum English-language friendly?
English translations accompany major exhibits throughout the permanent collection. English audio guides are available to rent at the entrance, and information desk staff assist in English.
How long does a full visit take?
A selective visit focusing on the medieval and early modern highlights takes 2–3 hours. A thorough visit across all twenty-two departments requires a full day.
Is the museum wheelchair accessible?
Most of the modern extensions are wheelchair accessible with lifts. Parts of the fourteenth-century monastery buildings have limited access due to historic construction. A detailed accessibility guide is available at the museum entrance.
What is the 'Way of Human Rights' installation?
Created by Israeli artist Dani Karavan in 1993, the installation consists of 30 white concrete columns along the museum's perimeter walkway, each bearing one article of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in a different language, connecting the museum's cultural mission to contemporary human rights values.