Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The Haguenau Historical Museum was founded at the beginning of the 20th century to house collections gathered by the city from the mid-19th century, including numismatic, archaeological and decorative art objects. The building, built between 1900 and 1905 under the impulse of Mayor Xavier Nestel, adopts an architectural style combining neo-Gothic and neo-Renaissance. It was designed by the Strasbourg cabinet Kuder and Müller, also responsible for similar buildings in Strasbourg, such as the villa Mathy or the Palatia. Today the museum preserves various collections, ranging from the Bronze Age to the contemporary era, with particular attention to local archaeology and the medieval history of Haguenau.

The museum's archaeological collections come largely from Xavier Nestel's excavations in the Haguenau forest, where more than 450 tumulus of the Bronze and Iron Age were explored. These discoveries, documented in excavation books, were studied and published by archaeologist Claude Schaeffer. The museum also exhibits Gallo-Roman, Merovingian and medieval objects, as well as works related to art nouveau and military history. A room is dedicated to the faience of Haguenau, produced by the Hannong factory in the 18th century, while other spaces evoke urban life and medieval corporations.

The building itself is a remarkable architectural testimony, decorated with sculptures, frescoes and stained glass by local artists such as Charles Albert Schultz, Auguste Spinner and Léo Schnug. These decorative elements illustrate historical scenes, such as the judgment of Richard Lion's Heart in 1193, or motifs inspired by everyday life and local legends. The museum actively participates in cultural life by organizing temporary exhibitions, concerts and animations, while preserving a documentary and artistic heritage unique in Alsace.

The museum's history is also marked by its curators, including Abbé Georges Gromer and Pia Wendling, who have helped enrich and modernize the collections. Today, the museum remains a place of memory and discovery, highlighting Haguenau's historical heritage, from its prehistoric origins to its role in regional and national history.

Among the master pieces are objects from the tumulus of the Haguenau forest, medieval charters, Hannong faiences, and religious and military art. The museum also houses archives and manuscripts, such as Xavier Nessel's dig books, digitized and accessible to the public. These resources make it an essential place to understand the evolution of the city and its region throughout the centuries.

Finally, the museum is part of a dynamic cultural network, participating in national events such as the European Museum Night. Its temporary exhibitions and educational activities aim to make accessible a rich and varied heritage, while preserving the memory of the archaeological excavations and historical collections that make Haguenau famous.

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