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Retail, Sight, Culture
Augustinermuseum (Augustian Museum)
The former convent and monastery church of the Augustinian hermits could be described as multifunctional buildings - over time they served very different purposes: built in the 13th and 14th centuries, the monks of the order initially lived here.
After some renovation and extension work, the church initially became Germany's first municipal theater in 1823. It then found its current purpose as a museum 100 years later.
With its extensive collection of art and cultural history from the Middle Ages to the Baroque, the Augustian museum is one of the most renowned museums in southern Germany. Anyone entering the spacious nave of the former monastery church will be overwhelmed by the vastness and power of the space.
The original prophet figures and gargoyles from Freiburg Cathedral unfold their mystical effect on the whitewashed walls, which are almost twelve meters high. The impressive sculptures can be seen from the gallery from a bird's eye view; it is a special view of the work of the medieval stonemasons.
The House of Prints and Drawings was completed in 2016 as the second construction phase following the renovation of the monastery church. The new building blends harmoniously into the historic cityscape and connects the various floors and building sections of the museum with a central spiral staircase. Showcases set into the wall and subtle lighting make the staircase an extraordinary exhibition space.
The opening of the new exhibition rooms in the former convent building at the end of February 2026 marked the completion of the museum's long-term refurbishment. On around 2,900 square meters, the building now presents itself as a modern, barrier-free and interactive place for art, history and social dialogue in Freiburg. The popular café in the Zinnengarten was also reopened as part of the redesign. Multimedia installations on the Black Forest, interactive stations on the city's history, a baroque gallery in a dense salon setting and digital portrait steles on the diversity of urban society make the tour varied and surprising.
Today, the Augustian museum is much more than a classic exhibition venue - it sees itself as an inspiring meeting place in the heart of the city, where art, history and the present come together in conversation.
