UNBOXED! Treasures from the Collection

Special Exhibition Marking the 150th Anniversary of the Franciscan Museum

In 2026, the Franciscan Museum will celebrate its 150th anniversary. This milestone is an opportunity to look back and take stock, but it also offers a glimpse into the future. As is customary at a birthday party, the title promises many surprises. But it’s not just exhibits that are usually off-limits to the public that will be “unwrapped.” In a figurative sense, too, the museum team is revealing new insights: They’ll share updates on the history of the collection, the work done at the museum, and the diverse objects themselves. The spectrum ranges from the region’s prehistory and early history to the city’s modern history. Displayed in various thematic sections are works by famous Villingen artists such as Hans Kraut and Anton Berin, as well as the first “e-bike,” pianos manufactured in Villingen, valuable textiles, and more recent acquisitions. The exhibition answers fascinating questions: Who responded to the 1876 call for donations? What items were initially included in the collection? Who worked on building the collection and researching it?