The castle served as the seat of the Grand Master of the Teutonic Order from 1527 until 1809.
Architect Balthasar Neumann, famous for the Würzburg Residence, designed the castle's distinctive grand staircase in 1730.
The museum holds one of the largest collections of historical toy and tin figure displays in Southern Germany.
The castle complex features a preserved castle church that remains an active religious site.
The archives contain original documentation regarding the Order’s governance and its transition from a crusading order to a charitable institution.
The site includes a dedicated exhibit on the history of the Order’s medical missions.
The buildings represent an architectural evolution from a medieval water castle to an 18th-century Baroque residential palace.
The Deutschordensmuseum is housed within the former residence of the Grand Masters of the Teutonic Order in Bad Mergentheim. It serves as the central repository for the history of the Order, spanning over 800 years of religious and military service. The museum occupies a renaissance-style castle complex featuring a notable grand staircase by Balthasar Neumann. Exhibits detail the administrative structure, political influence, and territorial reach of the Order in Prussia and the Holy Land. The collection includes extensive archives, religious artifacts, and weaponry from the medieval period to the 20th century. Visitors can tour the historical state rooms, the castle church, and the specialized museum of toys and model railways located on-site. The facility is managed by the Teutonic Order and functions as both a historical site and an academic research center.
The landing of the Balthasar Neumann staircase, offering the best perspective of the Baroque architecture.
Prioritize the Balthasar Neumann staircase before touring the main collection.
Combine your visit with a walk through the adjacent Schlosspark for a complete view of the exterior architecture.
Check the museum’s temporary exhibition calendar, as they frequently update displays from their extensive private archives.
Do not attempt to see the entire complex in under an hour, as the museum of toys and the castle history require separate time investments.
Closed on Mondays.
