Ziegelmuseum Mainz‑Bretzenheim

About

The Ziegelmuseum Mainz-Bretzenheim is a unique cultural site that traces 4,000 years of brickmaking history in the Rhine region. Located in the historic Alte Ziegelei, the museum is built above a fully preserved ring kiln—an industrial monument protected since 1992. Founded by hobby archaeologists Klaus Ewe and Christian von Kaphengst, the museum showcases over 900 roof tiles and bricks from the Bronze Age to the present. Highlights include Roman legionary stamps, medieval ornamented bricks, and “Feierabendziegel”—tiles inscribed by workers at the end of their shifts. A reconstructed Roman hypocaust system illustrates ancient heating technology. The museum’s setting and collection offer a rare glimpse into the evolution of construction, craftsmanship, and daily life across millennia. It is run by volunteers and forms part of the Route der Industriekultur, making it a vital stop for heritage enthusiasts and educators.

Mainz Germany

Location

The Ziegelmuseum Mainz-Bretzenheim is located at Alte Ziegelei 1 in the Mainz-Bretzenheim district. The museum is housed in a protected industrial monument featuring a fully preserved ring kiln, which is the only one of its kind in the Rheinhessen region. It showcases over 2,000 exhibits covering 4,000 years of brick production, including Roman bricks and roofing tiles, medieval to modern examples, and a wide variety of embossed and stamped bricks. The museum is part of the Route of Industrial Heritage and sits in a historic area with links to Mainz's industrial past. Nearby, visitors can explore the older parts of Bretzenheim and enjoy local amenities within reach of Mainz's city center. The museum offers free admission, guided tours by arrangement, and is open seasonally from April to October.