Forest Museum Zwiesel
The Forest Museum in Zwiesel at Kirchplatz 3 is a cultural and natural history museum in the Lower Bavarian district of Regen . It is housed in the former building of the girls' school, which was run by the English Misses . The exhibition is signposted in German and Czech. At the same time, the building serves as the cultural center of the city of Zwiesel.
General
In the late 19th century, a wave of museum foundations began in Bavaria, which also took hold of Zwiesel. Evidence from the history of Zwiesel has been collected since 1904 and a year later a city museum was set up, which was housed on the upper floor of the local morgue. The collection grew continuously and the existing space became too small. In 1924 the museum found a new home in the former communal brewery and later fire brigade prop house on the town square.
In the 1960s, the thematic focus changed. Oberforstrat Konrad Klotz (1905–1994), head of the Zwiesel Forestry Office, and Georg Priehäußer (1894–1974) worked towards a redesign of the museum. In 1966 they succeeded in setting up the first German forest museum in Zwiesel. The flora and fauna of the forest, as well as the subject of “wood”, became the central content. These areas were supplemented by urban and regional historical object areas as well as by Zwiesel's indispensable topic “glass”.
Extraordinary exhibits such as the trunk fan of a 400 year old fir tree or a jungle diorama were integrated into the concept.
In 2014, the forest museum was revised again in terms of content and design and relocated to the former girls' school on Kirchplatz, which is right next to the neo-Gothic church of St. Nicholas.
Building the museum
The museum extends over three floors. The cultural and natural history of the Bavarian Forest, the topic of glass and the history of the city of Zwiesel form the main content.
ground floor
Even today, the visitor is greeted by the imposing trunk fan of a 400 year old fir tree. A jungle diorama lets visitors immerse themselves in the past, where they encounter animals such as brown bears and wolves that were once native to the Bavarian Forest. Furthermore, it is shown which tree and mushroom species occur in the Bavarian Forest and which meadow, hedge and forest animals are common here. The hard life of the people in the Bavarian Forest is also clearly illustrated. Popular piety is thematized from the Herrgottswinkel and custom to popular superstition. Numerous media stations, u. a. with historical film and sound material, bring the past to life.
First floor
"Fine glass and good wood are Zwiesel's pride". This is the motto for the exhibition concept on the first floor. Both existing and extinct glassworks are present here. Outstanding exhibits from the region's glassworks such as B. Frauenau , Schachtenbach , Theresienthal , Zwiesel Kristallglas or the Zwiesel Glass College show the extraordinary level of local glass art. But of course objects from glassworks in Bohemia are also represented. The glass production and the necessary raw materials are dealt with intensively. A special highlight is the miniature glassmaker's village, which was manufactured from 1967 to 1969 by the wood carver Josef Schmidt and shows the ideal type of a glassworks settlement. The extensive and diverse collection of snuff bottles is also presented. Here Erhard Kutschenreuter , the composer of the famous Waldlermarsch, is honored. But wood processing in the Bavarian Forest is also clearly illustrated. As a representative reference should only be made to the wood wire weaving .
The furnishings in the old Zwiesel city pharmacy and the associated herb chamber are impressive evidence of the city's history.
The chapel of the former schoolhouse is also located on the first floor. Evidence of religious folk art from Zwiesel and the surrounding area can be admired here. Couples can tie the knot in the chapel today.
Attic
Here the visitor can get to know important stations and personalities in the history of Zwiesel. The spectrum of topics ranges from the founding of the city to the city elevation to artists, musicians and athletes. Early city views, uniform parts of the Zwiesel vigilante group, historical musical instruments, old sports equipment and much more illustrate the development of the city.
The homeland researcher and folk singer Paul Friedl , who has made an outstanding contribution to the preservation of the cultural assets of the Bavarian Forest, will be honored. The Zwieseler Fink , the oldest European music touring award, goes back to his commitment . Changing special exhibitions are also shown in the attic. The rooms on the top floor can also be rented for celebrations and events.
literature
- Waldmuseum Zwiesel, A guide through the museum, publisher Waldmuseum der Stadt Zwiesel
Web links
Coordinates: 49 ° 0 '50.7 " N , 13 ° 13' 52.4" E