Discover the new accompanying booklet in the Bernauer Museum am Steintor!

Discover the new accompanying booklet in the Bernauer Museum am Steintor!

There is reason to celebrate at the Museum am Steintor in Bernau: a new brochure is now available that provides a wealth of information about the exhibits and their historical context. The brochure is a perfect resource for anyone who wants to explore the museum independently. Museum employee Leo Grabsch assures that the booklet not only helps you find your way around the museum, but also deepens your knowledge while climbing the house's narrow corridors and steep stairs. “We are always available for questions and tours,” he adds, encouraging visitors.

The 15-page booklet, which is available free of charge when visiting the museum, offers a floor plan, numerous photos and exciting details about the fortifications, armory, battlements and the hunger tower. The eventful history of Bernau is also highlighted, particularly the role of the Hussites and their influences. The new companion to the exhibition makes the past tangible for those interested and offers a deep insight into old crafts and traditional customs. The museum is open until the end of September and captivates guests before moving to the executioner's house in the winter months.

140 years of local history museum – a celebration of history

On May 15, 2026, another big anniversary will be celebrated in the Museum am Steintor: The local history museum looks back on 140 years of history. When it opened in 1882, which took place as part of the Hussite Festival, the museum was celebrated as the “first Hussite museum” in the world. Among those present at the time were Crown Prince Friedrich III. and his wife Victoria. Museum director Bernd Eccarius cordially invites all citizens to the anniversary celebration, which will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. At 11:15 a.m. the historic museum opening will be reenacted with the local history club in traditional uniforms.

On this special day, visitors can look forward to free entry and various exhibits that bring Bernau's history to life. Among other things, historical weapons, guild symbols, tools and an exciting exhibition on the history of Bernau beer are on display. A special highlight is the model of a Hussite chariot in the former guard room, which commemorates the encounter between the Hussites and the Bernauers in 1432.

The Hussites – A look into history

The Hussites were an important movement that emerged in Bohemia between 1419 and 1434 and was directed against the established religious structures of the Western Church. The triggers of the Hussite Wars lay in the teachings of Jan Hus, who was burned as a heretic in 1415. The Hussites themselves rejected Sigismund as the Bohemian king, blaming him for Hus’s death. These conflicts led to numerous military conflicts, crusades and also to a deep influence on the society and culture of the affected regions.

In particular, the tactics of the Hussites, such as the formation of wagon forts and the use of firearms, shaped the image of this time. While the Hussites won several victories, the Bavarian princes and bishops looked for ways to defend their territories. These disputes and their economic consequences are not only part of Bernau's history, but also a central element of European history. Anyone who would like to learn more about the Hussite Wars can look around the museum and deepen their knowledge.

Visit the Museum am Steintor and learn more about the history of Bernau, the Hussites and the exciting exhibitions that are on view until the end of September.