The building was originally designed as a riding stable and carriage house for the Great Elector.
It sits on the site of the former royal mews, which housed the court's horses and carriages.
The museum archives contain approximately 1 million photographs related to the history of the Babelsberg studios.
The building survived the heavy bombing of Potsdam in 1945, unlike much of the surrounding city center.
The onsite cinema, the 'Kino im Marstall,' retains an intimate, classic atmosphere using original projection techniques for specific screenings.
The institution focuses heavily on the 'Babelsberg' identity, covering the transition from silent film to the sound era.
The Filmmuseum Potsdam is housed in the Marstall, a baroque stable building constructed in 1685, making it the oldest building in the city to serve its original purpose as a film-focused institution. As the first film museum in Germany, it documents the rich history of the nearby Babelsberg Studio, the oldest large-scale film studio in the world. The permanent exhibition details the technical evolution of filmmaking, from early optical illusions to modern digital production methods. Visitors can explore displays on set design, costume creation, and the history of the UFA film era. The museum features an active 130-seat cinema space that hosts regular screenings of historical and contemporary films. Its collection includes extensive archives of scripts, photographs, and props from over a century of German cinema. The building's architecture reflects the patronage of Elector Friedrich Wilhelm of Brandenburg. It serves as a central hub for academic research and public education regarding media history.
The impressive ornate baroque entrance and the historical interior staircases.
Check the official cinema program online before arriving to catch a rare historical screening.
Combine your visit with a trip to the nearby Babelsberg film lot for a complete cinema history experience.
Look for the museum's rotating temporary exhibits which often feature specific directors or technical innovations.
Do not mistake this for the Babelsberg Studio tour, which is located in a different part of the city.
Closed on Mondays.
