Alter Bau

Alter Bau is an eight-story timber-framed structure built with traditional Alamannic construction methods and located in the old town center of Geislingen an der Steige. The building now houses a municipal museum with permanent collections on local history, rotating art exhibitions, and the Southwest German Treasure Chest Museum displaying historical iron chests.

This building was constructed around 1445 by the Imperial City of Ulm as a granary after acquiring the area from the Counts of Helfenstein in 1395. Its construction marks when Ulm expanded influence over the region and created local structures to support trade and administration.

The name reflects its role as one of the oldest structures in town, directly connecting it to the city's identity and historical roots. The exhibits about bone turning craftsmanship show a trade that once shaped daily life in this region and remains part of how locals understand their heritage.

The museum is easily accessible by foot through the old town and offers both permanent exhibitions and rotating art displays that change seasonally. Special decorations and displays appear during the Christmas season, giving visitors an additional reason to visit during the holiday period.

The collection of about 250 preserved bird specimens in the museum dates to an era when collecting taxidermied animals was a popular activity for nature enthusiasts. This extensive ornithological collection now offers a window into a forgotten hobby and shows how approaches to studying nature have changed over time.