Hohenzollerisches Landesmuseum

The Hohenzollerisches Landesmuseum sits in Hechingen’s Alte Schloss, a sturdy Renaissance palace that once housed the counts of Hohenzollern. The building itself has stood for centuries, its thick walls holding stories from the region’s past. The museum traces the history of the Hohenzollern lands, from early settlements to the days of small principalities and later Prussian rule. It brings together art, archaeology and everyday objects under one roof. The collection began in 1896 when Wilhelm Friedrich Laur, a local conservator, rescued church treasures at risk of loss or damage. Among its highlights is a bronze-age double grave found near Gammertingen in 1927, dating to around 1000 BC. Visitors can see medieval sculptures such as the Laizer Apostel from about 1330 and carved stations of the cross by Joachim Taubenschmidt from the late 16th century. Portraits of local rulers, pieces of furniture and tableware show daily life across the centuries. A multimedia display recreates the Hohenzollerische Hochzeit of 1598, one of the grandest Renaissance weddings in south-west Germany. The museum occupies several rooms arranged around a central courtyard. Light falls on the exhibits through tall windows, revealing details of metalwork, woodcarving and textiles. Labels explain each object in clear language, guiding visitors from prehistory to the modern age. Outside, Hechingen’s old town offers cafés and quiet squares, while the surrounding Zollernalbkreis countryside provides gentle hills and forests for walks.