The Museum Fünf Kontinente in Munich is a vibrant place for cultural encounters and global history - and is one of the most important ethnological museums in Germany. Located directly on Maximilianstraße, it takes visitors on a fascinating journey around the world: Its extensive permanent exhibitions present everyday objects, works of art and ritual objects from regions such as Africa, North and South America, Asia and Oceania.
Founded in 1862, the museum, formerly the State Museum of Ethnology, preserves over 160,000 ethnographic artifacts and more than 135,000 historical photographs, accompanied by a publicly accessible specialist library with over 100,000 volumes. The presentations provide authentic insights into the living environments and artistic forms of expression of non-European cultures - from magnificent Inca gold treasures to important Buddha saws, impressive masks and everyday objects from indigenous communities.
Exhibition overview "Sub-Saharan Africa. Living Traditions - Creative Present" © Photo: Nicolai Kästner
In addition, regularly changing special exhibitions on globally relevant topics are part of the program - currently on Hiroshima and Nagasaki or Myanmar, for example. With its historic ensemble of buildings, research focus, digital presentation formats and open dialog on provenance - including the return of cultural assets - the museum is emblematic of a reflective, future-oriented museum culture.
The Museum Fünf Kontinente is therefore not only a place of wonder, but also a cultural meeting point and important Sightseeing in Munich - for those interested in ethnology, history and art in equal measure.
