In the region‘s local history museum, audio- visual and interactive media make it easy to access information on the chequered local history. The museum premises also have other functions: they provide the venue for temporary exhibitions and serve both as an archive for the District of Merzig-Wadern and as a reference library. In the adjacent Paul Schneider Sculpture Park, works by Leo Kornbrust, Liselotte Netz-Paulik, Heinz Oliberius, Paul Schneider, Thomas Link and Gerard Höweler are on display.
At present the museum will open for special exhibitions only. More information: http://www.museum-schloss-fellenberg.de
Story:
The Swiss-born Wilhelm Tell von Fellenberg found his way to the Saar through love. In 1829 he married Rosalie-Virginie, daughter of François Boch-Buschmann. In 1858 he moved his residence from Mettlach to Merzig. There, according to tradition, he converted an old, dilapidated mill into a representative castle, Fellenberg Castle. Fellenberg Castle, with its extension made of carved sandstone, its bay windows and its turrets, is a vivid example of 19th century architecture in Merzig. The Fellenbergs' marriage was childless, so the property fell to the von Boch family.
From 1912 to 1919, the district rented Fellenberg Castle and, after extensive renovations, District Administrator Dr. Haniel and his successor, District Administrator Rudolf Klein, reside here. In 1934, the Merzig district bought the castle and set up a retirement home; later hospital wards, such as the maternity ward, were also housed here. There has been a museum in Fellenberg Castle since 1980, which was extensively renovated and restored by the Merzig-Wadern district from 1997 to 2000. The castle with the park offers a beautiful setting for civil weddings.
Program:
Temporary exhibitions by important regional artists as well as topics on local history are presented on the ground floor. In addition to the exciting exhibitions, an extensive accompanying program with concerts, readings, matinees at the castle and lectures offers visitors additional cultural variety.
District home archive:
There is a reference library attached to the museum on the top floor. There are well over 10,000 books about the Merzig-Wadern district and neighboring areas. The extensive archive for the Merzig-Wadern district is equally important. It includes, among other things, the archive of the Saarbrücker Zeitung, the photo archive of Theo Plettenberg, former editor of the Saarbrücker Zeitung, and the archive of Johann Georg Becker-Krapp.
Tip: The district heritage archive can be visited every 14 days on Wednesdays in odd-numbered calendar weeks from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Paul Schneider Sculpture Park:
The “Gardens Without Borders” initiative created an attractive park around Fellenberg Castle in 2004. This was dedicated to the sculptor Paul Schneider on May 5, 2012 on the occasion of his 85th birthday. With this, the district honored his artistic life's work. One of his most important projects is the international sculpture symposium “Stones on the Border”. In addition to sculptures by Paul Schneider, works of art from other renowned artists are shown in the park, such as Leo Kornbrust, Liselotte Netz-Pauli and Heinz Oliberius, but also works by artists from other German areas, the Netherlands, Italy, Ireland and Switzerland.
Weddings:
Fellenberg Castle Museum, the place for romantic weddings in Merzig.
The Fellenberg Castle Museum is located in the middle of Merzig city center, surrounded by the “Paul Schneider Sculpture Park”.
With around 70 seats and its location on the ground floor, the representative “Wilhelm Tell von Fellenberg” wedding hall offers the best conditions for all close friends and relatives to witness the magical moment. The castle with its sun terrace and numerous exhibition rooms also offers a wonderful atmosphere for the champagne reception after the wedding, when the bride and groom toast their happiness with their guests. Couples who have their wedding accompanied by music from a pianist give their ceremony that certain something.
The dates for the wedding Saturdays can be found at www.museum-schloss-fellenberg.de. We are also there for you on working days. Ask the Merzig registry office for your desired date.
