Stadtmuseum and Baustadel

THE BAUSTADEL

Today the so called Baustadel houses the museum complex from the 15th and 16 century with a modern annex from 1989. The historic building consists out of two parts, which are connected at a right angle. The north wing, the so called Kolonnenhaus, most likely dates back to the 15th century. The south wing was finished in 1544, this year is inscribed on its outer wall.

Originally, the Baustadel served multiple purposes. Partially it was used as storage space by the city. For example, building material for repairs of local buildings, the city wall and the citizens’ homes was stored here. The building was also used as a granary and the municipal armory. Inside the vault on the first floor, guns for the bastions, wall- and gate towers were deposited. Lighter equipment like weaponry and the four city flags were stored on the second floor. The Baustadel was already mentioned in the 1564 city chronicle by Michael Schwaiger.

During the twentieth century, the building was used by the local fire department, the Red Cross, the municipal meat shop as well as for housing purposes. From 1983 to 1988 the entire complex was renovated to house the museum. Most of the interior, especially the floors, the ceiling and the entire roof truss were kept in in their original state.

MODERN ANNEX

In 2002/2003 a modern annex was added, which on the first floor houses a new lobby, additional storage and exhibition spaces, as well as a room specifically for museum education. For a while, the Prechtl-Kabinett (Prechtl-cabinet) and the archaeological museum of the Upper Palatinate were also presented here. The ticket office as well as the museum shop, reading desks for catalogues, armchairs and an espresso machine are located in the lobby. The inner court is visible through the glass architecture and is also open to visitors. The modern lobby is used for exhibition openings as well as musical and festive events.

Inside the Stadtmuseum Amberg, spaces for exhibitions, storage and offices add up to an overall area of 3,200 square meters. The permanent exhibition amounts to 1,400 square meters on five floors, additionally the space for special exhibitions amounts to 435 square meters distributed over three rooms.

More about the history of the Stadtmuseum