Rectories

City Museums – Priests' Houses – City History Collection 

The Zwickau Priests’ Houses at Domhof 5–8 are among the oldest residential buildings in Central Germany and likely even in the entire country. The origins of this architecturally significant complex date back to the 13th century. 

By 1466, the buildings were largely completed and have been preserved in this form almost entirely intact. Thus, these monuments still convey an impression of medieval domestic culture and way of life today. The new city history museum capitalizes on this foundation, offering visitors a vivid glimpse into the past through this external ambiance and the accompanying cultural-historical exhibition on cooking, living, sleeping, learning, and more. 

To ensure public accessibility and museum use, the historic buildings required a modern functional addition, which is integrated into the exhibitions on one hand and houses two shops as well as the “1st Zwickau Inn Brewery and Distillery” on the ground floor on the other. Here, not only are various types of house-brewed beer produced, but the numerous guests are also offered homemade schnapps from the brewery’s own distillery. 

Since 2003, the museum has offered visitors not only a unique architectural example of medieval construction but also the opportunity to experience the historic exterior through corresponding exhibits. This is achieved through various pieces of furniture, interior furnishings, and display case exhibits designed to deepen the historical context. The unity between the building and the exhibition thus complements each other to create a high level of informational and visual value, thereby conveying historical knowledge about the history of life and culture in a museum-like manner.