StadtMuseum Bonn

When visiting a new town or city, it’s always interesting to learn a little about its history; if there’s a museum specifically about this topic, more the better. So, it was logical that a visit to the StadtMuseum formed part of our itinerary while we were in Bonn.

If you don’t have a Bonn Welcome Card, entrance is €2.50; a very reasonable price if you speak German. However, as English speakers we felt a little lost.

The museum is housed on two floors, with the exhibition starting from the highest floor and working its way back down. Each small room deals with a different era in the history of the city, from Roman times until the present, and signs in German and English inform you of the room’s topic as you enter.

The displays are all well presented, with a wide range of exhibits, but unfortunately all explanations are in German only, which makes it difficult for non-German-speakers to get below the surface of the objects on display. Perhaps brochures or audioguides are available for speakers of other languages, but we weren’t offered one as we entered and didn’t think to go back to the reception desk to ask. Luckily the member of staff on duty on the second floor spoke English and was able to instruct us about the route we should take through the museum, otherwise we would have seen everything in the wrong order!

On the first floor is a moving memorial to the residents of Bonn who were killed during the Second World War; as we entered the display I found a brochure in English outlining its contents, so we were able to get a little more out of that section than in other sections of the museum.

On the whole, I’d recommend a visit to the StadtMuseum if you speak German or go with a guide, otherwise you won’t understand the exhibits on display. However, if you have a Welcome Card and an hour or so to fill, it’s also worth a stop.

[box]The Stadt Museum can be visited with the Bonn Welcome Card.[/box]