Zeppelin Museum

We have arrived here at a central spot in Friedrichshafen – the Zeppelin Museum – located in the former port railway station. The Bauhaus-architecture of the Zeppelin Museum, which has been placed under monumental protection, houses the world’s largest collection on the history of airship travel and an extensive art collection displayed over 3,500m2. The museum covers the first flight at the end of the 18th Century right through to today. In the centre, the historic Zeppelins built in Friedrichshafen, are on display. Information is provided on the eventful history of the Zeppelin, from the setbacks to the surprising successes and the development of the airship from a simple, flying, cigar-shaped aircraft, to a transatlantic luxury airliner.

Adventurous journeys, curious incidents and dramatic moments form the cornerstones of an exciting, multi-media journey through the history of the airship. The partly reconstructed airship LZ 129 Hindenburg, which you can even walk in to, is undoubtedly the highlight. You can climb into the airship on the accommodation ladder provided. Next to the saloon are two sleeping chambers that can also be accessed.

In the experimental room covering the topic “momentum, motor, and aerodynamics”, all ages can take part in interactive stations, carrying out tests on the Zeppelin. Also on offer is an exciting tour for families with the museum suitcase, which is available at the museum ticket counter.

The extensive art collection in the museum, displaying works from the biggest south German artists from the Middle Ages, baroque and rococo periods, spans a wide range, even including some contemporary art. Some of the must-see pieces include works by Max Ackermann, Otto Dix, Erich Heckel, Franz Anton Maulbertsch, Johann Heinrich Schönfeld and Jörg Stocker the elder. There is also an exhibition space of 1,000m2, which displays changing exhibitions that often cover interdisciplinary topics – yet another highlight of the Zeppelin Museum. Tours and workshops, as well as regular presentations clearly convey the themes of the museum.