The “Narrenburg” Carnival Museum opened at Hettingen Castle near Sigmaringen in 2006. It illustrates carnival customs, their history and connections with other European countries, and aims to portray cultural similarities and differences across the borders.

A traditional festival with many different facets
The “Narrenburg” Carnival Museum, in the tithe barn of Hettingen Castle high up on a hill in the Lauchert valley, represents a new museum concept that aims not only to portray regional carnival customs but to explain their significance. There are many names for the “fifth season”, such as “Fasching”, “Fasnacht” and “Karneval”. It is a time for fun and enjoyment before the period of lent begins. A typical feature is the wearing of masks at the processions and parties. This historical phenomenon is celebrated with carnival activities in many parts of the world. The museum uses modern presentation methods that don't just document carnival customs but rather convey an in-depth insight into their significance and background.

The “Narrenburg” Carnival Museum showcases European carnival customs in 400m² of exhibition area over two floors. It illustrates the evolution of carnival, important props for the fools, scary, pretty, rare and exquisite masks and head dresses, the Tyrolean “Nassereith Schellerlauf” masked procession, a Venetian lady in her finest clothes and an ornately painted “Weissnarr” fool from Rottweil. The permanent exhibition depicts carnival customs from Switzerland, focusing on the “Lötschental Tschäggättä”, “Basle Fastnacht” and “Laufenburg Narrone”. The wooden masks are without a doubt the most artistically impressive pieces. The carnival in Venice is also featured, as are carnival traditions in eastern Europe, France, Spain, the Netherlands, Greece and Belgium.
» www.narrenburg.eu

A selection of other “typically German” museums in Germany.