Orgelbaumuseum Schloss Hanstein, Organ building museum in Ostheim vor der Rhön, Germany
The Orgelbaumuseum in Schloss Hanstein fills over 700 square meters with organs from different periods, both reconstructions and original instruments. The castle's four floors house organs dating from the 14th century through the 20th century.
The museum was founded in 1993 and honors Ostheim's 400-year tradition of organ building craftsmanship. This local heritage of skilled instrument making contributed to organ building being recognized as Germany's intangible cultural heritage.
The instruments on display reflect different building styles from various periods that you encounter as you move through the rooms. You notice how the forms and decorations changed from one era to another.
If you want to learn more about the instruments, you can arrange a guided tour with technical explanations, but you need to call ahead and book a time. The castle has no elevator, so you climb stairs to reach the organs on different floors.
The museum holds a reconstruction of the world's oldest block organ from 1350, one of the earliest known keyboard instruments. Many of these historical instruments still work and can be played during tours.
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