The Städel Museum sits on the south bank of the Main in Frankfurt, within the Museum Embankment. Its paintings, sculptures, photographs and works on paper trace European art from the early 14th century to the present day. Rooms are arranged by artist or movement, so you can move from Dürer to Monet without losing the thread. The underground extension holds contemporary work under skylights, and the rooftop gives views over the city skyline.
Who founded the Städel
The museum was set up by Johann Friedrich Städel, a Frankfurt banker and spice trader who was also an avid art collector. In his will he asked for the museum to be established, and he left his house, his art collection and his fortune to make it possible.
The museum still aims to bring art to a wide public, with paintings, sculptures, photographs, drawings and prints on display.
Seven centuries in one collection
The collection begins in the early 14th century and runs to the present day. Its paintings cover the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, the Baroque, classical modernism and later work. Old masters include Dürer, Holbein, Botticelli, Rembrandt, Vermeer and Goya. For the later periods, the names include Monet, Renoir, Degas, Van Gogh, Matisse and Picasso, along with German artists such as Kirchner, Beckmann and Klee.
One well-known painting is the portrait of Goethe in the Campagna by Tischbein. Contemporary artists in the collection include Francis Bacon, Gerhard Richter and Baselitz.
The 2012 extension
The museum roughly doubled in size in 2012, when a subterranean extension designed by the architecture firm Schneider + Schumacher opened. It added about 3,000 square metres of light-filled exhibition space. A lawn sits above the new galleries, with porthole-style skylights that bring daylight down into the rooms.
The museum was named German Museum of the Year after this extension. Contemporary works, including pieces by Bacon and Richter, are shown in the underground part, so it works well as a stop after the older galleries.
The building and its setting
The main building was designed in a palatial Gründerzeit style in 1878. The museum is one of the institutions along the Museum Embankment on the Main, alongside the Liebieghaus, a sculpture museum.
From the rooftop you can look out over the city. On the way out, walk around to the back to see the courtyard view of the annex.
Practical details for a visit
The museum has a cafe with cakes, a restaurant and a shop on site. The entrance, the restrooms and the parking lot are wheelchair accessible. The museum offers tours for visually impaired visitors and is family-friendly and good for children.
Advance tickets are recommended because queues can build up. The museum is closed on Mondays, and Thursday is the late opening day.
Perguntas frequentes
Is there an entry fee?
Yes, admission is charged. Prices can vary with temporary exhibitions, so check the museum website before you go.
How long do you need at the Städel?
Plan two to three hours. The collection is large, so choosing a few periods or artists helps you see them properly.
Is the Städel Museum open on Mondays?
No, the museum is closed on Mondays. Thursday is the late opening day, so it suits an evening visit.
Is the museum wheelchair accessible?
Yes. The entrance, the restrooms and the parking lot are wheelchair accessible, and the museum offers tours for visually impaired visitors.
