Munich City Museum Munchner Stadtmuseum

A great variety of artifacts dating from 1480 to the 20th century including civic treasures, goblets, guild memorabilia, coins and medals; also furniture, beautiful ceramics, glassware and wonderful goldwork.

Important international films dating from the earliest era of cinema up to contemporary works are presented in the museum's newly renovated film theatre. The completeoeuvre of important German film makers (from F.W. Murnau to Wim Wenders, from Fritz Lang to Herbert Achternbusch) as well as motion picture classics can be found in the collections. The museum houses among others the largest collection of German silent films. Daily shows except on Mondays.

The Munich City Museum contains and impressive collection of folk art and textiles including devotional religious paintings, votive offerings, verre églomisé pictures and cribs. Also three centuries of bridal adornment, elaborately worked accessories, costumes, clothes and fashion jewelry.

The "Von-Parish Kostümbibliothek" is a reference library with a vast collection of books, prints and drawings on the history of fashion and costume - open by appointment only.

This is one of the finest collections of its kind in Germany. Dolls, doll's houses, toy shops, skittles, rocking horses, figures and other toys of wood and tin. A glimpse into childrens' lives of yesteryear.

The Munich City Museum contains a vast collection of graphic art documenting the cultural history of the Bavarian capital. Of special note are: the poster collection; the Parish Collection of pictures relating to the history of costume; and the Böhmer Collection of popular prints (posters, picture histories, etc.).

The Museum contains a collection of more than 2,000 paintings among which are works by Carl Spitzweg, including "Klausner".

The Munich City Museum features figures of Morris dancers carved by Erasmus Grasser in about 1480 for the ballroom in the Altes Rathaus. Dainty, earthy and grotesque, they are notable examples of bourgeois art of the Gothic period. The Morisco (morris) dance was imported from Moorish Spain and was spread throughout Europe by itinerant singers and musicians. It depicts the rivalry among the costumed dancers for the favor of a fair lady.

In the same room are coats of arms (also by Grasser) carved for the barrel-vaulted roof of the municipal Council Chamber, including one with the "Münchner Kindl", the child-figure which is Munich's emblem.

The Munich City Museum features about 2,000 musical instruments from all over the world - Africa, Asia, America and Europe.

During a guided tour of the collection, visitors have the possibility to play the complete gamelans from the Indonesian Islands of Java and Bali. Monthly programme of musical events, concerts and expert talks.

The collection of photography is one of the leading of its kind in Germany. In its galleries contemporary German photography, large monographic or thematical special exhibition are on show.

The collection of puppetry in Munich is one of the largest of its kind anywhere, with some 50,000 items from around the world (puppets, glove puppets, marionettes, shadow-puppets etc.).

A number of well-chosen exhibits provide historical insight into the culture of the fairground and circus showman.