Valentin-Volkssänger-Musäum

The Valentin-Karlstadt-Musäum stands inside the Isartor, a medieval gate in Munich’s old town. The gate forms part of the city’s former defences and now houses this city-run museum. Karl Valentin, his partner Liesl Karlstadt and Munich’s popular singers are all celebrated here. The building was first opened as the Valentin-Musäum in 1959. Hannes König, who had worked with Valentin at the Ritterspelunke, arranged the original displays. Over time the collection grew to include more about Liesl Karlstadt and the city’s folk-singing tradition. The museum is worth the journey because it shows the many sides of Karl Valentin. Visitors see him as comedian, writer, actor, filmmaker, craftsman, collector and even museum director. The displays follow his life story while grouping objects by theme. A second strand focuses on his private world, including his role as a critic of society. Special cabinets explore his work on the Oktoberfest and his later life. The Liesl-Karlstadt room, added in 2001, highlights her film and radio work after Valentin’s death. Inside, the museum offers skilfully arranged exhibits. A famous nail marks the moment Valentin gave up his carpentry trade. A fur-lined toothpick and a telephone used in his film Wanninger are among the oddities. The top floor contains the Turmstüberl café, which hosts small concerts and cabaret. A reversed clock on the wall forces visitors to think differently about time. Upstairs again, a cinema shows Valentin’s films in full, while a listening station plays extracts from Liesl Karlstadt’s radio shows.