Kreismuseum Bogenberg

The Kreismuseum Bogenberg stands on the summit of Bogenberg above the town of Bogen in Lower Bavaria. It occupies the former parish barn from the 19th century and older rooms of the old Bogenberg elementary school. A medieval well from the year 1400 is preserved inside the building. The museum was founded in 1909 by district official Nibler to preserve local art and cultural history. It moved to its present site in 1962 and now presents two main themes: the history of the Bavarian diamond pattern and the 900-year-old pilgrimage to the pregnant Madonna on Bogenberg. The displays include historical and modern rauten objects, paintings and ivory Madonnas, and objects related to pilgrimage and tourism. Visitors find a modern, interactive exhibition on two floors. The ground floor covers the counts of Bogen and the spread of the rauten motif. The upper floor shows the pilgrimage history, the famous wooden votive offering called the ‘long pole’, and the development of Bogenberg as a hiking and gastronomy destination. Changing special exhibitions draw on the museum’s collection and loans, adding fresh perspectives on local art and culture.