Museum Schloss Adelsheim
Local Craftsmanship- Closed today
- Berchtesgaden
Delicate ivory carvings, intricately turned wooden filigree boxes, elaborately decorated wood-chip boxes, and lovingly painted toys: At Museum Schloss Adelsheim, discover the fascinating world of traditional Berchtesgaden craftsmanship.
Museum Schloss Adelsheim in Berchtesgaden is one of Bavaria’s most important museums of folk culture. Across 13 rooms and 600 square meters of exhibition space, you’ll discover how people lived between Watzmann and Untersberg.
A major focus of the collection is the traditional craftsmanship known as Berchtesgadener War: elaborately painted wood-chip boxes, colorful wooden toys, rustic wood carvings, flutes, figures of saints and Nativity scenes, and delicate bone carvings.
History and architecture of Schloss Adelsheim
Schloss Adelsheim was built in 1614 by collegiate dean Degenhard Neuchinger as a country retreat and summer residence. After his death, Schloss Adelsheim initially passed to the collegiate chapter of Berchtesgaden and, in 1636, to Dr. Fröhlich, chancellor of the foundation. Following several changes of ownership—including to merchants dealing in wooden goods—the castle became the property of the Bavarian state in 1796 and subsequently served as the main salt administration office.
Schloss Adelsheim has largely retained the architectural form of the original 1614 building. The main building has three stories, while the adjoining wing has two upper floors. The roof features dormer windows and half-hipped gables.
Schloss Adelsheim was the place where Berchtesgaden’s last ruling Prince-Provost, Konrad von Schroffenberg, died in 1803. The building subsequently passed to wooden-goods merchant Johann Wallner and later to various local families. Schloss Adelsheim has belonged to the Berchtesgadener Land district since 1963. Following extensive renovations, the castle became home to the local heritage museum of the Berchtesgaden region.
One of Bavaria’s most important museums of folk culture
Today, Schloss Adelsheim is one of Bavaria’s most important museums of folk culture. Across 13 rooms, you’ll discover how people lived between Watzmann and Untersberg. A major focus of the collection is the Berchtesgadener War: elaborately painted wood-chip boxes, colorful wooden toys, rustic wood carvings, flutes, and figures of saints and Nativity scenes. You can also learn more about historic toys, marionettes, mousetraps, and traditional saluting guns.
The museum is not suitable for visitors with limited mobility.
