Right in the foyer, lightning strikes a pickelhaube. Next door, thousands of tin soldiers "march" under a walk-in glass floor. With exciting presentations and an innovative exhibition concept, the LWL Prussia Museum aims to surprise its visitors in future and amaze them with the extent to which Prussia still influences everyday life in Westphalia today.
Curiosity and emotion
The history of Prussia, which developed from a geographical patchwork into the largest German territorial state and thus into a major European power, is complex and eventful. It is associated with militarism, obedience and a spirit of subservience as well as tolerance, religious freedom and democratic awakening. All these concepts are brought to life in the new permanent exhibition and explored in vivid detail. Visitors are sometimes touched emotionally, sometimes made curious. Themes such as "Prussian Symbols", "Migration and Freedom", "Everyday Life in Prussia" and "Prussia and the World" serve as a guide on the tour through the modern presentation.
The new LWL visitor center has already opened in the Kaiser Wilhelm Monument in neighboring Porta Westfalica. Here, visitors can find answers to the question of why such a monumental memorial was erected to the emperor up here on the Wittekindsberg. The impressive landmark is 88 meters high and the view from its ring terrace extends far over the Wiehengebirge mountains. In addition, 34 historical and natural history events in the region are illustrated on a large panoramic wall. They tell stories of the Romans in Germania, of Prussia's pathos and of the misery of the forced laborers who were exploited in the tunnel directly at the foot of the monument during the Second World War.
The LWL Prussian Museum Minden is part of the "Prussia in Westphalia" network, which in future will link museums, archives and monuments from all regions of Westphalia on cultural tourism routes.