Augustiner Museum, Freiburg

The Augustiner Museum finds its home in the historical setting of a former Augustinian monastery. This venerable building underwent extensive reconstruction between 1914 and 1923. However, the advent of World War I not only disrupted this reconstruction but also curtailed it, primarily due to financial constraints. Despite these challenges, the museum has persevered over the years, and a comprehensive renovation project commenced in 2004, with plans to expand its exhibition spaces and modernize its facilities. Unfortunately, this ongoing renovation has limited the museum's ability to display its entire collection to the public.

The museum's collection traces its origins back to the 1880s when the city of Freiburg initiated its efforts. While only a portion of the collection can currently be exhibited due to the construction work, it boasts a diverse array of visual art and sculptures. Visitors can appreciate works by renowned artists such as Lucas Cranach the Elder, Anselm Feuerbach, Hans Baldung Grien, Matthias Grünewald, the Master of the Housebook, Hans Thoma, and Franz Xaver Winterhalter.

The sculpture hall features impressive stone prophets from Freiburg Cathedral, standing at an impressive four meters in height. Another notable exhibit is a church organ from Welte & Sons, housed in an exterior dating back to the 1730s, and a library focused on art and cultural history. Additionally, the Augustiner Museum houses the Museum of Municipal History (Museum für Stadtgeschichte) as one of its departments.

While many of the museum's treasures are not currently on display or only partially so due to ongoing renovations, they encompass a wide range of categories. This includes an extensive collection of prints and drawings, decorative art, domestic artifacts from the Black Forest region, coin collections, timepieces, and a remarkable 14th-century carpet.