 | Thuringia, Germany Tourism Attractions  |  |
A visit to the "Panorama Museum" in Bad Frankenhausen, Thuringia
Contact Information: Panorama Museum Am Schlachtberg 9 06567 Bad Frankenhausen Germany Phone: 011 49 34671 / 61 90 Fax: 011 49 34671 / 6 20 50 E-mail: info@panorama-museum.de
| Opening time: November to March 10:00 am to 5:00 pm July/August and holidays: Mondays 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm All other Mondays and December 24. Closed Note:
We recommend to use e-mail or fax if you do not speak German |
Everybody who is interested in history and art should reserve at least half a day for the visit of the Panorama Museum in Bad Frankenhausen. I also thinks you can say it is an art center.
I do not want to repeat all the explicit information which you will find in the official English web site. Please use the link which we have installed! We just want to raise your interest in the hope that you will visit this major attraction in the Kyffhäuser region. The museum has been built before the unification of Germany and hosts a monumental cyclorama which is dedicated to one of the most important battles of the peasant's war. This bloody event took place at this location in 1525. More than 6000 revolutionaries were fighting for more rights and freedom under the leadership of Thomas Münzer, a priest and former supporter of Martin Luther. Because of his participation in this uprise and his radical ideas Martin Luther broke up all connections to him. After the lost battle Thomas Münzer was beheaded in near by Mühlhausen. |
 The impressing cyclorama is responsible for the shape of the museum |
You can drive very close to the museum and it is only a short walk from the parking lot to the museum. If you are handicapped you are allowed to drive all the way and park directly at the museum. This has also the advantage that you enter the museum a the elevator level. Please ask for help if needed.
Otherwise be prepared to climb many stairs in the museum as almost everywhere in Thuringia.
Naturally, I could not take the following pictures with my equipment. Special thanks to the "Panorama Museum" and especially to Ms. Krage who had sent me the great images and gave me the permission to use them.
They come to live when you listen to the very detailed explanations of the gigantic cyclorama. Besides in German they are available in the languages English and French on a recording device.
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Naturally, our pictures don't give you the overwhelming impression of the original painting which has a size of 14 x 123 m (46 feet x 403.5 feet).
As already stated, the museum was planned and built under the communist system of the former GDR. The official opening took place in 1989, shortly before the reunification of both counties. Originally the intention was to use it as a legitimation for the existance of the GDR and its communist system on German soil. It is a known fact - whatever you do their are critics. Even by doing absolute nothing you can not avoid to be criticized. The same happens to the well know creator of the cyclorama, professor Werner Tübke. Just visit the museum and decide by yourself. I did not find anything wrong with it. The peasant's war is a fact and wars are still initiated for all kind of reasons and you always find people in support on every side. Unfortunately, the learning effect is almost not existing or countries who learned their lessons are not being asked for advise. Visit also the other exhibitions in the museum. Please check the official web site for the most actual information. The museum offers a nice cafeteria and restaurant. Their is no need to starve or to bring sandwiches with you. The offered food is really good and very reasonable priced. The museum shop offers many helpful information also in other languages than German. Don't miss a visit. |