Carnival Museum

Das ist jeck – that’s crazy! Where once horse-drawn carriages passed through an archway, there is now the 40 square meter large Carnival Museum, a small museum revolving round Rhineland cheerfulness. It is part of the Mon-Chronik, the decentralized city museum. Thus Carnival, which is loved and lived in Monheim am Rhein, has a permanent place in the heart of the historic old part of town – even outside the so-called "fifth season".

Small but nice carnival exhibition

As soon as you enter, you’ll be greeted by the reigning Carnival prince and princess, as well as their junior versions, in the form of living images to your left and right. In various cabinets, you can admire the regalia worn by a prince and other exhibits relating to Carnival. Dance with us a “Stippeföttche” (a ritual Carnival dance), leaf through the living manuscript or browse the digital Carnival archive and so get to know all about the long-standing Carnival tradition of the city of Monheim am Rhein. Only taking part live and in person is better.

Red clown noses to go

Should you happen to require a red clown nose in the middle of summer – no problem! You can get one from the vending machine in the Carnival Museum. An unbeatable little gift from Monheim am Rhein, at any season of the year. As the locals cry at Carnival time: Monnem Helau!

Barrier-free access

All information and dates relating to the “fifth season” can be found on the following page: Carnival in Monheim am Rhein.

The Carnival Museum is open
from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day

Free admission.

Karnevalskabinett

Turmstraße 21
40789 Monheim am Rhein

There are free parking spaces at the Schützenplatz parking lot in the Rheinbogen Landscape Park.

Am Werth
40789 Monheim am Rhein

Experience Carnival now:

Video 1

watch our film "Monnem Helau!" (subtitles via CC button)

Our Mon-Chronik sites

The 26 meter high Schelmenturm, or Rogue’s Tower, is the stately landmark of Monheim and the last part of a fortification built around 1425 to protect the "Freiheit Monheim".

With the historic eel fishing boat called "Fiat Voluntas", the city has landed a "real contemporary witness" for you, one which inspires its guests as an interactive museum.

In the heart of the Urdenbacher Kämpe Nature Reserve, the former Roman fort at HausBürgel is just waiting for you to discover and explore it. The Roman Museum vividly tells visitors about thelife of the soldiers once stationed here, and outside, you can even smell real plants of late antiquity.

The "Kradepohl," or "Krötenpfuhl" (“Toad Pond”) in High German, is one of the prettiest squares in the old part of town. Here, where once frogs croaked in a fire pond is where a "tradition tree" and a fountain now stand. Shady trees and plenty of benches invite visitors to sit down and linger a while. The square is also the site of the church in the historic center of town.

Situated in a fairy-tale romantic setting, Marienburg Manor was built by the architect August Carl Lange around 1879 as a summer house for the lawyer and politician Eugen von Kesseler, both from Cologne. It was modelled on Marienburg Castle in Malbork, Poland – one of Monheim’s twin towns today.

One landmark of Monheim am Rhein that’s visible from afar is St. Mary’s Chapel. Rhine boatmen initially built a wooden chapel here in 1418, which was replaced by a late Gothic chapel made of stone in 1514.

Looking ahead: A new Mon-Chronik site is planned in the christening chapel of St. Gereon, with an exciting exhibition about the pastor and resistance fighter Franz Boehm.

A must for literature fans: the eponymous writer grew up here in the Ulla Hahn House. Even as a child, Ulla Hahn discovered her love of language and found a retreat for writing in the old shed behind the house.

The goose from our city coat of arms comes alive and becomes an interactive city guide. The innovative Mon-Chronik app makes this possible and links all the important sites in the urban area.

The history of Monheim can be felt, seen and experienced in many places throughout the city. The Mon-Chronik, the decentralized city museum, links and presents our historical places and exciting tourist sights. Set off on the tour today!