Diocesan Museum Freising | Current Exhibition & Opening Hours

High above the old town, at the historic Domberg 21 in 85354 Freising, the Diocesan Museum Freising invites you on a special journey of discovery through art, spirituality, and the present. In light-filled rooms, visitors encounter masterpieces of sacred art, contemporary positions, and coherent educational offerings – from guided tours to open workshops. An architectural and artistic highlight is the permanent light installation by James Turrell in the chapel of the former boys' seminary, while right next door, the Mary’s Mantle Chapel by artist Kiki Smith has been created as a place of silence and contemplation. Convenient for your arrival: The Dombergbahn connects the city center barrier-free with the Domberg, the Domberg parking garage is reopened, and a restaurant with a sun terrace rounds off the visit gastronomically. The house is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm, closed on Mondays. All information about opening hours, exhibitions, tours, admission, and services comes directly from the museum and the municipal information offices – so you can reliably plan your visit.

Current Exhibitions and Opening Hours at the Diocesan Museum Freising

If you want to know what is currently on display at the Diocesan Museum Freising today and in the coming weeks, you will find a clear program with two pillars: the permanent collection and the changing special exhibitions. As the major spring exhibition of 2026, the museum will showcase the exhibition 'Heavenly Reunion. From Ludwig I to the Blue Rider' from March 17, 2026, to July 26, 2026. It spans – with works by Bertel Thorvaldsen, Peter von Cornelius, Friedrich Overbeck, Gabriel von Max, and Franz von Stuck, as well as Gabriele Münter and Wassily Kandinsky – the arc from the classicist understanding of art of King Ludwig I to the breakthrough into modernity through the Blue Rider. The program is complemented by 'Deluxe Lace' (February 24, 2026 – April 26, 2026), which focuses on delicate textile art. In addition to the special exhibitions, the permanent collection invites you to rediscover central themes of European pictorial tradition throughout the year. Since 2025, a department with early Christian and Byzantine art has also enriched the tour – a collection that comes from the legacy of Munich collector Christian Schmidt and makes the diversity of the collection visible. Seasonal highlights such as the nativity exhibition during the Advent and Christmas season complement the annual cycle of the house; it presents historical and regional nativity scenes as well as paintings and sculptures in a narrative context. For your visit: The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm (closed on Mondays), but explicitly open from Good Friday to Easter Monday. The last admission is 15 minutes before closing time. The special light installation by James Turrell can only be entered at designated times for conservation and safety reasons: daily Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 11:30 am and from 2:30 to 4:00 pm; please expect waiting times during peak attendance. Also plan your tour with regard to individual exceptional dates indicated in the calendar: On April 11, 2026 (afternoon), May 14, 2026 (from 11 am), June 21, 2026 (afternoon), July 11, 2026 (afternoon), and September 13, 2026 (afternoon), the installation will not be accessible due to events. If you would like to enjoy coffee and cake or an early dinner while gazing over the city and the Alps, you will find the restaurant with a sun terrace directly in the house, which is open from Tuesday to Sunday and offers extended evening hours on Fridays and Saturdays starting in April.

Tickets and Costs: Admission, Discounts, Annual Pass

The clear pricing structure makes planning easier. Regular admission is €8, reduced €6. Children and teenagers up to and including 17 years visit the museum free of charge, as do members of the friends and supporters' circle. Those who visit more often can choose the annual pass for €20; it is especially attractive for culture enthusiasts from the region who repeatedly visit the permanent collection and special exhibitions. For the popular open workshops, adults incur an additional charge of €5 on top of the museum admission. With the DIMU bonus card, creative explorers can bundle twelve visits to the workshop – it costs €50 and is ideal for families and regular participants. Important for everyone who wants to plan their day flexibly: The last admission to the museum is 15 minutes before closing, so that the tour can be completed in peace. The special times for visiting the James Turrell installation are included in the admission ticket; a separate reservation is not required for the regular slots; waiting times are possible during high attendance. For an exclusive, undivided light experience, there is the format '#TURRELLANDYOU': The light space can be booked for 30 minutes for €50 for individuals or small groups; inquiries should be directed to the art education department. The house also offers transparent conditions for groups, associations, school classes, and companies – from guided tours to workshops (see below). Please also note the house rules: Bags larger than DIN A5 must be placed in the free lockers (1- or 2-euro coin or free chip at the cash register), food and drinks are not allowed in the exhibition rooms, and animals are not permitted in the building, except for assistance dogs. Those who enjoy photography may do so for private purposes, but without flash, tripod, and selfie stick; a photo ban may apply in certain special exhibitions. This way, artworks and the visitor experience remain protected for everyone.

Booking Tours: Formats, Times, and Prices

Whether first visit, thematic deep dive, or educational program: The Diocesan Museum Freising offers tailored tours and workshops. Options include house tours, tours of the permanent collection or current special exhibitions, as well as practical workshops for different age groups. The group size is limited to a maximum of 20 people for quality and safety reasons; larger groups can be guided in smaller groups by arrangement. A transparent and fair pricing structure applies to group tours: 60 minutes cost €80 plus the applicable museum admissions of the participants; 90 minutes cost €120 plus admissions. Workshops can be booked as a 90-minute format for €120 or as a 120-minute format for €160. The organizational process is streamlined: Through the online form, you provide the topic, desired duration, preferred date, and age structure; the education team will get back to you for confirmation. Alternatively, you can send your inquiry via email to the art education department. Age-appropriate formats are available for school classes; strollers are allowed in the exhibition, and the museum can provide a wheelchair upon request if needed. The house rules provide sensible framework conditions for a smooth process: Please always maintain a safety distance from the artworks, follow the instructions of the supervisory staff, and note that access to the James Turrell light installation is only permitted after a brief introduction by museum staff. If you are looking for a special, individual experience with the light space, you can additionally inquire about the exclusive format '#TURRELLANDYOU'. Tip for organizers: In combination with a tour, harmonious accompanying programs can be realized in the attached restaurant – from coffee receptions to menus.

James Turrell at the Diocesan Museum Freising: A CHAPEL FOR LUKE and his scribe Lucius the Cyrene

The permanent light installation by James Turrell is one of the most striking artistic accents of the house. The American pioneer of the Light-and-Space movement has created an immersive Ganzfeld in the chapel of the former Freising boys' seminary, making the transition between architecture, perception, and light tangible. The title 'A CHAPEL FOR LUKE and his scribe Lucius the Cyrene' refers to the Freising Luke image – a significant Byzantine icon in the collection. Both places, the icon and the light space, are architecturally aligned on an axis and thus enter into a silent dialogue. Upon entering, the familiar depth perception dissolves; color becomes space, light becomes its own matter. The museum regulates access for quality and protection reasons: The light space is accessible Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 11:30 am and from 2:30 to 4:00 pm, each after a brief introduction by the staff. Due to demand, there may be waiting times. Please also consider some previously communicated blocked times when the light space cannot be entered due to events: April 11, 2026 (afternoon), May 14, 2026 (from 11 am), June 21, 2026 (afternoon), July 11, 2026 (afternoon), September 13, 2026 (afternoon). If you seek this experience in an exclusive atmosphere, you can book the room for 30 minutes for €50 for yourself or together with a small group as part of '#TURRELLANDYOU'; inquiries are accepted by the art education department. The house's photography rules also apply here: Photography is only allowed for private purposes, without flash, tripod, and selfie stick; the instructions of the staff must always be followed. Together, the installation offers a rare opportunity to experience Turrell's artistic thinking directly – embedded in a museum that bridges historical pictorial tradition and contemporary perception.

Access and Parking at Domberg: Dombergbahn, Parking Garage, and Bus Stops

Access is uncomplicated thanks to clear paths – and barrier-free upon request. From Freising train station, you can reach the Diocesan Museum in about 10–15 minutes on foot. A regular bus does not operate to the Domberg; if you do not wish to walk, it is best to take a taxi or use the Dombergbahn. This barrier-free funicular connects the city center from Bahnhofstraße with the Domberg and is located at the corner of Bahnhofstraße/Brunnhausgasse. For drivers, the Domberg parking garage is available again; in addition, the museum recommends using the parking options below the Domberg. Please note that due to construction work, only two disabled parking spaces are currently designated on the north side of the museum. Travel groups with buses use the drop-off point at Bahnhofstraße 13 (between Martin-Luther-Straße and Gartenstraße); the designated bus parking is located at Luitpoldstraße 1. If you are using a navigation device, it is best to enter the museum address Domberg 21, 85354 Freising directly and orient yourself on-site according to the signage. For all visitors: Plan some time for the walk from the parking lot or the valley station of the Dombergbahn to the plateau of the Domberg – the ascent rewards you with an impressive view over the expanse of the Munich gravel plain to the Alps. On-site service points, signage, and staff are happy to assist. Tip: Check the city of Freising's information on ongoing road construction measures and access routes in advance; the museum links current notices. This way, you can arrive relaxed and on time for your booked tour appointment or the start of the exhibition time slots.

Shop, Restaurant, Chapel, and Services: DIMU Shop, Café-Bar, and Mary’s Mantle Chapel

If you want to take a souvenir home or continue reading at home after the tour, you will find it in the DIMU Shop. The range includes exhibition catalogs – including the catalog for the exhibition 'Heavenly Reunion' – as well as publications on the collection, postcards, small gift ideas, and seasonal items. The shop is located in the museum area and follows the regular opening hours; selected titles are also visible online. Culinary delights await you in the in-house restaurant with café and bar operation: Enjoy traditional alpine cuisine with modern influences in historic rooms or on the sun terrace, which is open all day with a wide view. Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, closed on Mondays; from April, the hours are extended on Fridays and Saturdays until 10:00 pm. The restaurant is barrier-free accessible and can be booked for celebrations such as baptisms, birthdays, or weddings; the terrace is ideal for a sundowner after the museum visit. A special spiritual and artistic offering is Kiki Smith's Mary’s Mantle Chapel at the northwest corner of the museum: a place of tranquility dedicated to the Madonna of the protective mantle. Important note for current visit planning: Due to construction work, the chapel will not be accessible until approximately April 5, 2026; it is normally open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm. The services of the house also include free lockers (1- or 2-euro coin; upon request, you can receive a free chip at the cash register), the loan of a wheelchair subject to availability, and barrier-free access via the Dombergbahn and elevators. Dogs are not allowed in the museum; assistance dogs are exempt. In the interest of considerate coexistence, the house rules ask for silence in the exhibition rooms and for the disabling of acoustic signals on mobile phones and cameras. For private memory photos: without flash, tripod, and selfie stick; for publication photos, written permission must be obtained in advance. If you want to round off your day, you will find a suitable souvenir in the shop and culinary accompaniment in the restaurant – both directly on-site, without paths through the valley.

Sources:

• Diocesan Museum Freising – Plan Your Visit (Opening Hours, Access, Prices, Dombergbahn)
• Diocesan Museum Freising – Current Exhibitions (Heavenly Reunion, Deluxe Lace)
• Diocesan Museum Freising – James Turrell: A CHAPEL FOR LUKE and his scribe Lucius the Cyrene
• Diocesan Museum Freising – House Rules (Photography Rules, Last Admission, Groups)
• Diocesan Museum Freising – Book a Tour (Group Size, Prices, Formats)
• Diocesan Museum Freising – Restaurant (Opening Hours, Terrace, Accessibility)
• Diocesan Museum Freising – Shop (Publications and Offers)
• Diocesan Museum Freising – Kiki Smith: Mary’s Mantle Chapel (Access Information)
• City of Freising – Tourism: Diocesan Museum Freising (Background, Dombergbahn)
• Archdiocese of Munich and Freising – Press Release on 'Heavenly Reunion'