Elztalmuseum

The Elztalmuseum stands in Waldkirch, a town in the Black Forest near Freiburg. It occupies the former provost’s building of St Margarethen Stift, a Baroque complex built in 1753–55 by the Villingen architect Ludwig Oswald. The three-storey structure has richly stuccoed ceilings by Franz Anton Vogel and a grand Baroque Hall used today for concerts and exhibitions. Outside, a statue of St Margaret by Josef Anton Hops crowns the central gable.

The museum traces Waldkirch and the Elz valley from the 10th-century foundation of the Benedictine convent through to modern times. Its best-known displays centre on the town’s mechanical-organ trade, which began in 1834 and made Waldkirch famous. Visitors can hear original barrel organs played during guided tours and learn how music was punched onto cardboard rolls. Other galleries explore local crafts such as gem-cutting, carnival traditions and the work of regional artists.

Inside the building, the permanent exhibitions occupy several rooms. The organ gallery shows over a dozen historic instruments, including a walzenorgel by Ignaz Bruder from the early 19th century. Nearby, the valley history section uses everyday objects to explain how the region’s economy and society developed. A small study room, the Studio, offers hands-on learning for school groups. Outside, the Baroque façade and the former Stift grounds provide a quiet setting for a stroll after viewing the exhibits.