Donauschwäbisches Zentralmuseum, Migration museum in Ulm, Germany
The Donauschwabisches Zentralmuseum is a migration museum in Ulm dedicated to German-speaking communities who settled along the Danube beginning in the 16th century. The exhibition displays objects, clothing, furniture, and personal items that document the daily lives of these people across ten different European countries.
The institution was founded to preserve the history of Danube Swabians, a population scattered across Danube region countries between the 16th and 20th centuries. The building itself dates to the mid-19th century and was originally a military facility of the Ulm fortress.
The name Donauschwaben refers to German speakers who migrated to the Danube region centuries ago, and their story is told through objects and voices that fill the rooms. Visitors can hear personal accounts and see how these communities shaped their new homes across multiple countries.
The museum sits near the Danube riverbank and is easily reached by public transport or on foot. The exhibition is laid out in a clear way, so visitors can move through independently or join a guided tour.
The museum preserves video interviews with about twenty eyewitnesses who share their experiences during and after World War II, forming a rare personal archive. These recordings give the museum visit an emotional depth that written documents alone cannot convey.
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