Deutsch Intern
  • none
University Heritage Museum

Where the museum ist being built

The museum is housed in the historic vaulted cellar of the Old University in Würzburg city centre. As the name suggests, this building is one of the oldest purpose-built university buildings in Europe. Its foundation stone was laid in 1582. After an eventful history, the cellar is the only remaining "original substance" of the stately building that has not been remodelled.

Designed as a wine cellar, it was leased in 1928 by the wine merchant Max Stern (1883-1956), who made Franconian wine famous throughout Europe through his trade. After the Jewish Stern family fled from the Nazis, the cellar served as an air raid shelter during the Second World War and was used by the Juliusspital, among others, in the post-war period. It eventually degenerated into a storage room for all kinds of rubbish.

In 2024, clearing and renovation work began in the 400 m² room, which will now serve as the University Heritage Museum (MUG).

Such magnificent barrels of the Stern family (here descendants in conversation with curator E. Horst) were once in the museum wine cellar.

After being used as a wine cellar, the room degenerated into a junk room.

Several lorry loads of rubbish have been removed so that the room can be appreciated in its entirety once again.

The walls, some of which were carved directly into the rock, were expertly cleaned and "tripping hazards" removed.

Person mit Lichtschiene in den Händen unter dem Gewölbe des Weinkellers

University architect A. Pleyer with the lighting design.

The floor has been poured, levelled and painted, and the exhibition area has been prepared.

Der restaurierte Altar aus Gips und Holz im Museum.

This cellar find, an altar from the university church, could be restored thanks to your support from C. Schädel.

Dr. Uwe Klug und das Museumsteam auf der Baustelle im Keller.

One year before the opening, University Chancellor Dr U. Klug visits the construction site.

Would you like to find out more?

You can find more information about the stories and exhibits that await you at the Museum of University History from spring 2027 on our

page about the exhibition themes and exhibits