Weserburg Museum Modern Art In Germany
Referring to itself as "the museum in the river," the Weserburg is being unnecessarily and endearingly modest. This superb museum contains one of Germany's and the world's most significant...
Referring to itself as "the museum in the river," the Weserburg is being unnecessarily and endearingly modest. This superb museum contains one of Germany's and the world's most significant collections of modern art and is certainly the jewel in the crown as far as the City of Bremen is concerned.
As for the symbolism: it's true that the museum sits smack in the centre of the Weser River, like the prow of an indomitable ship, at the westernmost tip of a 6.5-kilometre spit of land (the Teerburg Peninsula) jutting westwards.
What is the Weserburg Museum?
The Weserburg is a collectors' museum. In a nutshell: it displays works owned by private collectors. From that simple idea, it has developed a reputation for assembling breathtakingly broad and thorough exhibits comprising works lent by collectors worldwide.
As Marta Gnyp, a Berlin art advisor, told the New York Times in 2015: "Public museums have financial restraints, but they are still attractive to private collectors. Public institutions give a quality stamp and visibility to collections."
Private collectors want the general public to enjoy what they enjoy, but they don't have the facilities for regular public access. Enter collectors' museums. The collectors lend their works, the public gets to see them, and everyone's happy.
What is the history of the Weserburg?
The building complex lay in ruins after WWII due to air raids. Following the war, it was rebuilt and in 1949 the Schilling Brothers - who had owned the complex and operated there as a coffee importer and roaster since 1923 - reopened for business. They ran the coffee operation until 1973, when they closed permanently and sold the complex to the City of Bremen.
Over the next 18 years, various artistic studios used the spaces for cultural, artistic, and social events. In 1980, a movement anchored by the City of Bremen to create a collectors' museum gained momentum. The museum was officially established in November 1988 and opened less than three years later in September 1991.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Address | Teerhof 20, 28199 Bremen |
| Website | weserburg.de |
| Phone | +49 (0)421 59839-0 |
| Hours | Tue-Sun 11:00-18:00, Thu until 20:00. Closed Mondays. |
| Adults | 8 euros |
| [email protected] |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Weserburg Museum in Bremen?
On the Teerburg Peninsula in the middle of the Weser River, at Teerhof 20, 28199 Bremen. The museum literally sits in the river - which is why it calls itself "the museum in the river."
What kind of art does the Weserburg show?
Modern and contemporary art, sourced from private collectors worldwide. It's a collectors' museum, meaning the works are on loan from private collections rather than owned by the museum itself.
How much does the Weserburg cost?
Adults pay 8 euros. Special pricing is available for families, students, groups, soldiers, the unemployed, and disabled visitors. Check the website for current rates.
