The "Museum im Zeughaus" lives up to its self-image as a modern historical museum with educational methods that stimulate sensory perception and innovative research approaches. It offers visitors history they can touch and participate in. The museum is the first point of contact in the region for all questions relating to the medieval era. It sees itself as an image-defining tourist attraction for the town of Vechta. The "Center for Experimental Medieval Studies", which is affiliated to the museum, is a platform for scientific experiments and research in the field of experimental medieval archaeology as well as a supra-regional educational facility for teaching medieval cultural and craft techniques.
Part of the historic citadel in Vechta has been restored. The citadel park is a modern recreational park with seating and idyllic spots by the water for picnics and walks. The park, and thus part of the former citadel, is made accessible as a museum by groups of steel figures, which visitors can use to learn more about the history of this former fortress. The "Castrum Vechtense" is located in the citadel park.
The "Castrum Vechtense" project is a model of a medieval three-island castle complex from the 11th/12th century with a main, outer and secondary castle and many buildings on a section of the citadel park covering around 2 hectares. The reconstruction is based on archaeological and historical research in northern Germany. With the wooden castle tower and the castle gardens, the Museum Vechta invites visitors on an exciting journey back in time to the Middle Ages.
The Museum Vechta plays a pioneering role in researching regional and medieval history. It pursues the approach of "comparative regional research", accompanies excavations and preserves, documents and researches their finds as well as its own collections.
At the Museum Vechta, historical contexts are conveyed through an activity and product-oriented spatial, exhibition, event and museum education concept. The individual concepts are holistically coordinated with each other and are expressed in the museum's educational activities, which build up to the large museum festivals.
History told through life stories increases the visitors' reception of the exhibition texts, which are created according to the criteria of vividness, clarity, comprehensibility and responsiveness. The interactive and pedagogically staged exhibition stations are geared towards the cognitive and haptic needs of visitors and thus promote a playful, experimental approach to history as well as fun and enjoyment.
The museum sees itself as a place of encounter that aims to convey positive museum experiences and thus encourage repeat visits.
The Center for Experimental Medieval Studies (ZEM) runs courses that incorporate all levels of museum education and deepen them through the involvement of experts. The sustainability of the learning and social process is enhanced by the joint activities and the exchange of knowledge and skills between the participants. It forms an important interface between science/university research and the public.
In the "Castrum Vechtense" project, the methods and techniques learned at the ZEM will be applied in conjunction with the archaeological research results and used to reconstruct medieval buildings.
Castle revival by the Heydenwall group at Castrum Vechtense
On May 15 and 16, 2021, the Middle Ages will be brought to life on the reconstructed castle complex Castrum Vechtense of the Museum Vechta in the Citadel Park. Performers from the Heydenwall groups will move into the castle grounds and demonstrate the crafts and everyday life of a castle garrison in the period around 1100. Visitors are cordially invited to look over the shoulders of the maids and servants and experience history at first hand.
May 15 and 16, 2021
September 4 and 5, 2021
Burgmannen Days
The big medieval festival in the northwest! Look forward to many army camps and groups with more than 500 performers and traders from Germany and abroad, a craft market and many hands-on activities in the Citadel Park in Vechta. Admission is free.
September 25 and 26, 2021
