The Sauerland Museum conveys regional history in a vivid way. Visitors follow a timeline through the centuries. Using pictures, models and contemporary documents, guests can trace social developments. The new museum building from 2019 offers space for top-class special exhibitions.
The Sauerland is a cycling and hiking paradise, a recreational oasis with many wooded areas and reservoirs. Parts of the region were known for their strong industry in the 18th and 19th centuries. Iserlohn was at times considered the largest industrial city in Westphalia before individual cities in the Ruhr area gained the upper hand. Spiritual centers such as monasteries and religious orders played a decisive role in the identity of the Sauerland. It is clear that such a diverse region needs its own museum to guide visitors on a tour through its history; a museum that breaks down the cultural and historical development from the beginnings of the former Duchy of Westphalia to the present day.
Along a timeline, visitors embark on an exciting journey of discovery on three building levels of the Landsberger Hof - a historic town palace based on the French model: An adventure area on the themes of the Palaeolithic and Middle Ages introduces guests to the entertaining show on the basement floor with original finds from the Balver Cave and the skeleton of an 80,000-year-old cave bear.
On the first floor, history fans can trace the heyday of the duchy, while life-size portraits of important bishops and electors tell of pomp and glory. The model of the nearby Wedinghausen Monastery helps visitors to understand the importance of spiritual centers for education and culture.
With its many exhibits, the historical regional museum covers both historical and cultural aspects: This becomes particularly clear to guests on the upper floor, which focuses on the region in the times of Napoleon, the Prussian Kingdom, the Weimar Republic and National Socialism. Not far from military uniforms, flags and furnishings, an Election-O-Mat for the year 1932 provides "aha" moments.
Anyone interested in a top-class special exhibition after the comprehensive tour through the centuries can pay a visit to the impressive museum extension. Since its opening in 2019, it has been connected to the Palais via a bridge. An exhibition on August Macke has already enjoyed great success here.
It is also worth taking a closer look at the extraordinary exhibition building from the outside: three cube-shaped floors are gracefully embedded in the beautiful Arnsberg landscape on the edge of the slope facing Ruhrstraße. An exploration tour through the medieval town center or the ruins of the Rüdenburg castle will reinforce the impression afterwards.
