Museum Stadt Miltenberg (Town Museum)

The museum is housed in three historic timber-framed houses on the market square, distinguished by the ornate Renaissance oriels of the “Haus Miltenberg”. The painter Philipp Wirth (1808–1878), the town’s most famous son, once lived in the former administrative cellary that today serves as the museum building. In 1999 the museum received the Bavarian Museum Prize for its well-crafted concept and presentation.

The permanent exhibition follows the theme “Living and working in a middle-class town”, ranging from the Stone Age to the present. The Roman section displays finds from the period when the Vorderer Limes met the Main near Miltenberg and became the “wet Limes”; between roughly 165 and 260 AD, military units and civilians settled here, as attested by the excavated old-town fort. Miltenberg was first documented in 1237. As a town of the Electorate of Mainz on an important trade route, it flourished economically in the 14th and 15th centuries – through viticulture, stone quarrying and the timber and charcoal trade. In 1367 it was granted the market privilege, was at times even allowed to mint gold coins, and by the late 14th century was the most tax-rich town in the Mainz Oberstift. The transfer to Bavaria in 1816 is presented through a militia band with original early-19th-century instruments.

Among the highlights is the Judaica section, featuring the medieval Torah gable from Miltenberg’s old synagogue – the oldest surviving synagogue building in Germany – as well as an extremely rare 19th-century Omer calendar. A Jewish community is documented in Miltenberg as early as the late 13th century. Another focus is religious folk art, with reverse-glass paintings, convent work and devotional objects.

Extensive study collections of glass and ceramics lead into the “Everyday Life” section, where a reconstructed black kitchen and a washing area evoke historic town life. In 2006 the toy collection assembled over decades by Roland Schildhauer – steam engines, model railways and construction sets – came to the museum as a donation; the Lang couple gifted a collection of notable hunting weapons together with rare spring-guns. The picture gallery presents works by Miltenberg artists such as Rudolf Hirth du Frênes (1846–1916), a member of the Leibl circle, alongside paintings of Miltenberg motifs. One room is dedicated to the painter Philipp Wirth, and two more to the twin town of Dux (Duchcov) in Bohemia.

The museum includes two branch locations: a mikveh – the ritual bath of the former Jewish community – in Löwengasse, and a Roman pottery kiln recovered during construction work, now at the Caritas care home near the Würzburger Tor gate.

The museum sits centrally on the market square by the Schnatterloch. Admission is a combined ticket valid for both of the town’s museums: Museum Stadt and Museum Burg Miltenberg. Adults pay €8, reduced €5 (including young people up to 18, seniors, and a “culture happy hour” from 3 pm), children up to 14 free; there is also a family ticket (€15) and an annual pass (€45). Card payment is currently not possible. Because of the original timber framing, not all floors are accessible step-free.