Edwin-Scharff-Museum

At Petrusplatz in Neu-Ulm, the Edwin-Scharff-Museum brings twentieth-century art and hands-on discovery together under one roof. Historic walls meet a modern extension beside the square. Inside, sculptures, paintings, and documents by Edwin Scharff share space with works by Ernst Geitlinger. Children explore science, nature, and cultural history through interactive exhibits. The children’s museum occupies about two-thirds of the building and turns learning into play.

The older building dates from 1902, when it served as a local heritage museum, before extensive renovation began in 1994. A city-funded extension created modern exhibition space. The art collection traces Scharff’s work as a painter, graphic artist, and sculptor, while changing exhibitions broaden the view. The permanent home at Petrusplatz opened in 1999, and the children’s museum followed in 2009. A striking contrast appears between expressive twentieth-century sculpture and experiments designed for young visitors.