Ottoneum, Kassel

Name: Ottoneum
Address: Steinweg 2, Kassel, 34117, Germany
Telephone: +49 561 7874066

#3 among attractions in Kassel

Museum, Specialty museum, Science museum, History museum

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Facts and practical information

The Ottoneum in Kassel, Germany, is a cultural gem that beckons history enthusiasts and art lovers alike. Housed in what is considered to be the first theater building of the Baroque period in Germany, the Ottoneum is now a museum that boasts an extensive range of exhibits.

Established in 1606, the building was transformed into a museum in 1885, making it one of the oldest museums in Kassel. The Ottoneum is especially renowned for its natural history collection, which includes the famous Goethe Elephant - the only remaining animal skeleton from the collection of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.

Visitors to the Ottoneum can explore a variety of displays, from prehistoric fossils to enthralling dioramas of extinct and endangered species. The museum's permanent exhibition also features an impressive array of paleontological treasures and biological specimens that provide insight into the diversity of life on Earth.

The museum's architecture itself is a sight to behold, with its historical facade and well-preserved interiors that reflect the grandeur of its theatrical past. The Ottoneum is not only a repository of natural history but also a testament to the cultural heritage of Kassel.

Alternative names: Established: 1888 (137 years ago)Visitors per year: 333 thous.Coordinates: 51°18'48"N, 9°29'56"E

Address

Steinweg 2Kassel Ost (Mitte)Kassel 34117 Germany

Contact

+49 561 7874066

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Kassel

Day trips

Ottoneum – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Auestadion, Orangerie, Bellevue Palace, Karlsaue.

1.2 miSW
Arenas and stadiums, Sport venue, Football
Auestadion, Kassel
32 min walk • Nestled in the heart of Kassel, Germany, the Auestadion is a vibrant hub for sports enthusiasts and event-goers alike. This multi-purpose stadium, with its robust structure and inviting atmosphere, has become a prominent landmark for the city's residents and tourists.
~1350 ftSE
Museum, Baroque architecture, Forts and castles
Orangerie, Kassel
7 min walk • The Orangerie is an Orangery in Kassel, Hesse, Germany. It was built under Landgrave Charles between 1703 and 1711. Since then, it forms the northern corner of the Karlsaue park. Today it is used as an astronomy and physical cabinet.
~1690 ftSW
Museum, Palace
Bellevue Palace, Kassel
9 min walk • Bellevue Palace in Kassel was built in 1714 for Charles I, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel. Originally the building served as an Observatory. It became a residence, and then part of Bellevue Castle, which was later destroyed.
0.7 miS
18th-century park with lakes and canals
Karlsaue, Kassel
19 min walk • The Karlsaue Park is a public and inner-city park of 1.50 km2 in Kassel. It was redesigned as a landscape garden in 1785 and consists of a mixture of visible Baroque garden elements and arranged “natural areas”.
0.8 miS
51°18'4"N • 9°29'58"E
Auebad Kassel, Kassel
22 min walk • Amusement, Water park, Swimming
~1950 ftSW
Museum, Art museum
New Gallery, Kassel
10 min walk • The Neue Galerie is an art museum in Kassel in the state of Hesse, in Germany. The building was constructed between 1871 and 1877 as a museum for works of the Old Masters.
~350 ftNW
Museum with temporary art exhibitions
Fridericianum, Kassel
2 min walk • The Fridericianum is a museum in Kassel, Germany. Built in 1779, it is one of the oldest public museums in Europe. Since 1955 the quinquennial art festival documenta is centred on the site. The exhibition building itself was fully renovated by 1982.
~460 ftS
Museum, Art museum, Event space
documenta-Halle, Kassel
3 min walk • documenta is an exhibition of contemporary art which takes place every five years in Kassel, Germany. It was founded by artist, teacher and curator Arnold Bode in 1955 as part of the Bundesgartenschau which took place in Kassel at that time.
~1520 ftN
Church, Gothic architecture
St Martin's Church, Kassel
8 min walk • St Martin's Church is a Protestant parish church in Kassel, Hesse, Germany. It is also the preaching-church of the bishop of the Evangelical Church of Hesse Electorate-Waldeck. It is in the Gothic style and was begun in 1364 and completed in 1462, dedicated to St. Martin of Tours.
0.5 miN
Synagogue
Kassel Synagogue, Kassel
13 min walk • The Kassel Synagogue is the description given to a succession of prayer houses of the Jewish community in Kassel, Hesse.
0.4 miSW
Museum, Art museum
Hessisches Landesmuseum, Kassel
12 min walk • The Hessian State Museum is an art museum located in Kassel, Germany. It is currently closed for renovations. The collection ranges from the Paleolithic Age to the present. The museum is also home to the German Wallpaper Museum. It is part of the Museumslandschaft Hessen Kassel.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When is Ottoneum open?

Ottoneum is open:

Monday closed
Tuesday 10 am - 5 pm
Wednesday 10 am - 8 pm
Thursday 10 am - 5 pm
Friday 10 am - 5 pm
Saturday 10 am - 5 pm
Sunday 10 am - 6 pm

Which popular attractions are close to Ottoneum?

Nearby attractions include Fridericianum, Kassel (2 min walk), Staatstheater Kassel, Kassel (2 min walk), documenta-Halle, Kassel (3 min walk), Rahmenbau, Kassel (3 min walk).

How to get to Ottoneum by public transport?

The nearest stations to Ottoneum:

Bus

Staatstheater • Lines: 16 (2 min walk)
Orangerie • Lines: 16 (8 min walk)

Tram

Friedrichsplatz • Lines: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, Rt1, Rt4 (5 min walk)
Königsplatz • Lines: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, Rt1, Rt4 (5 min walk)

Train

Kassel Hauptbahnhof (14 min walk)