Zinnfigurenklause, History museum in Schwabentor, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.
The Zinnfigurenklause museum sits inside a medieval watchtower in Freiburg's center and presents history through detailed dioramas filled with handmade figures. The displays spread across two floors and show scenes from different periods of the region's past.
The museum opened in 1965 and received extra space in the historic Schwabentor gate structure a few years later. The scenes focus on events between the 14th and 19th centuries in the region.
The tiny tin figures show regional events and everyday life from different periods, offering views of history you would not otherwise see. They give you a direct sense of how people in this area lived and shaped their world.
A visit takes just one or two hours to see all the dioramas. The two floors are connected by narrow stairs, so keep that in mind if you have mobility concerns.
The figures require constant care because tin gradually corrodes and loses detail over time. Some miniatures need regular repainting or even complete recasting to stay true to their original appearance.
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