Technic Museum Speyer and Sinsheim information and attractions

Technic Museum Speyer and Sinsheim — Technic Museum Speyer and Technic Museum Sinsheim are two very fascinating technical museums in Germany.

Today, I’ll take you to the Technic Museum in Speyer and Sinsheim in Germany, or rather to two museums: AUTO & TECHNIC MUSEUM SINSCHEIM and TECHNIC MUSEUM SPEYER. These are two separate museums, yet they are closely connected and offer an incredible array of machinery and mechanical devices. Honestly, I was fascinated by what I saw, and I know that even after a week of exploring, I wouldn’t feel bored. That’s why I caution against trying to visit both places in a single day.

In the article below, I’ll tell you about the origins of these famous museums, what you’ll see there, and answer whether it’s worth visiting them and why.

Technic Museum in Speyer and Sinsheim beginnings

The Technic Museum in Sinsheim was the first to be established, and its beginnings were quite humble. In the early 1980s, a group of enthusiasts and fans of vintage vehicles decided during one of their gatherings to share their treasures with others instead of keeping them hidden in garages. They rented a large old hall, which became the foundation of today’s museum in Sinsheim. The idea turned out to be a success, including financially, and the collection quickly began to grow. The location gained popularity, which translated into rapidly increasing revenues, allowing new exhibits to join the display.

A few years later, in nearby Speyer, the French army vacated a base it had occupied since the end of World War II. This inspired the collectors to rent the site and create another museum. When you visit, you don’t need to worry about which museum to explore first — both are fantastic and highly intriguing, with different, non-repeating exhibits.

In Sinsheim, you’ll find an extensive section on military technology, Formula 1 race cars, and my personal favourite, the vast “American Dream Cars” exhibit. Meanwhile, in Speyer, you’ll see military and civilian aeroplanes, a U-Boat submarine, and the massive Boeing 747.

We’ve visited the Technic Museum in Speyer and Sinsheim several times, the first being a few years ago when my son was a teenager — the perfect age to explore such places. He was amazed by practically everything there. He could peek into every nook and cranny, step into the cockpit of a large combat aircraft, take the controls of a submarine, or look under the hood of an actual Formula 1 car. Even today, he remembers it as a fantastic adventure.

Technic Museum in Sinsheim start of the tour

At the beginning of our trip, we arrived at the Technic Museum in Speyer. From afar, we could already see two massive Concorde aeroplanes mounted on high pillars towering over the area. Upon closer inspection, we discovered that only one of them was an original Concorde, while the other was a Tu-144, the Soviet replica of the Concorde. Although both planes had similar performance and appearances, the Soviets fell short on the details. The interior of the French aircraft is brilliantly designed, full of technological marvels of the time and comfort, while the Soviet machine featured basic vinyl upholstery on the seats and linoleum on the floors and walls.

The museum grounds house literally dozens of other passenger planes from nearly every corner of the world. One exhibit that stayed with me was the enormous Boeing 747. Part of its interior has been stripped of furnishings, allowing visitors to experience its vast spaciousness — you could practically fit an entire house inside. Nearby, a true giant hangs just above the ground on massive supports: the Soviet Antonov An-22 transport aircraft. To this day, it remains the largest propeller-driven transport plane ever built.

A real submarine will impress everyone

Next, for a change of pace, you can squeeze into one of the combat fighter jets. The experience is incredible — it’s so cramped that even I, without wearing a flight suit or any of the pilot’s equipment, felt a wave of claustrophobia. Once I managed to crawl out of the tiny cockpit, thinking it couldn’t possibly get any tighter, my son dragged me to the U-Boat. Submarines are inherently unfriendly places for humans. The entire rear — the stern — is filled with massive engines, batteries, and generators. At the front — the bow — are the torpedo launchers and their ammunition.

We struggled to squeeze through the narrow passages back and forth, and we couldn’t figure out how there was enough space for the dozens of crew members who spent weeks onboard, working and resting. They must have been incredibly brave individuals, and I have nothing but admiration and respect for them.

After all the adventures outside the vast museum complex, it was finally time to step inside. After all, everything we’d seen so far was just a preview of what awaited us inside. The museum’s main hall was once a facility where aeroplanes were assembled, so you’d think there would be plenty of room. Yet, there are so many exhibits that it feels quite crowded, which actually adds a cosy atmosphere, so it’s not a bad thing.

What can you see? Essentially, the entire place is a condensed technological history of modern Europe. Trains, aeroplanes, helicopters, and cars, including a Rolls-Royce collection with the famous Silver Ghost at its forefront. Now that’s a true marvel!

Technik Museum in Speyer, a section devoted to the conquest of space

In the enormous space, there’s a wealth of equipment: motorcycles, bicycles, engines, and cars. In addition, there are utility machines, trucks, and even a roller coaster. And then, the ultimate surprise — a section dedicated to space exploration, featuring the original Soviet space shuttle Buran! Strangely, just like the Concorde, it looks almost identical to its Western counterparts.

Buran was the last shuttle produced before the Soviet space program using this type of spacecraft was shut down. The one displayed at the Technic Museum in Speyer and Sinsheim never actually flew into space. In the 1980s, an Australian billionaire purchased it, but after his bankruptcy, the shuttle was sold to a wealthy individual in Singapore and spent some time in Bahrain. Eventually, after lengthy negotiations, the shuttle was transported to Speyer, Germany, aboard a large barge. The entire operation of purchasing and moving the spacecraft cost €10 million and reportedly has already paid for itself.

Apart from Buran, the museum’s space section includes capsules in which astronauts return to Earth, space suits, and space station equipment. The exhibit documents the detailed history of human adventures in space and on the Moon, including a piece of lunar rock displayed in one of the showcases. This section of the museum reminds me of the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. Of course, the latter is far larger, but there’s a noticeable similarity.

On your way out of the museum, don’t miss the small palace that houses a collection of musical clocks and automatons. There’s also an entire section dedicated to toys and dolls, and finally, something for the ladies — a substantial exhibit on 20th-century fashion.

Technic Museum in Sinsheim fighting machines and american cars

To start, here’s my honest advice: don’t even think about visiting both museums in a single day. While it’s technically possible, you’ll exhaust yourself and remember very little from the trip. I suggest dedicating two separate days to the two museums — you can thank me later.

Sinsheim is where the idea of creating the museum was born. In the central area is a place I absolutely fell in love with: the “American Dream Cars” exhibit! It highlights perfectly the difference between the evolution of European and American automotive design. The massive highway cruisers with V8 engines from the 1950s and 60s look like palaces compared to their European counterparts, which resemble rustic wooden outhouses.

There’s also a huge military section. While my son and I enthusiastically ran from tank to tank, my wife merely shuddered in disapproval. However, when we reached the combat bicycle, we were all laughing out loud. Additionally, we saw the largest artillery shell of World War II — a 405 mm calibre behemoth, a true monstrosity.

The military section includes all kinds of combat machines: tanks, armoured vehicles, and the so-called “gods of war” — artillery and other army equipment spanning from the early 20th century to today. Fans of World of Tanks would probably find almost every vehicle available in the game here.

Technic Museum in Sinsheim large sports car section

Beyond the military exhibits and American cars, the Sinsheim museum boasts a massive section dedicated to sports cars. Imagine a hall filled with Jaguars, Porsches, Ferraris, and Formula 1 race cars. The highlight of the exhibit is a sporty Maybach with a staggering 23-liter engine! Right next to it, you’ll find luxurious Bugatti, Mercedes-Benz models, and the world’s largest collection of Maybach cars.

In the next hall, there are over twenty trains on display. Among them, you’ll find simulators and fully operational engines that visitors can start up and even touch. Many of the machines are accessible, allowing you to step inside and experience a bit of their luxury first-hand.

Technic Museum in Speyer and Sinsheim restaurant, shop, and IMAX 3D cinema

For a moment of respite we visited the museum restaurant, which is devilishly expensive, so if you want to save a penny, take some snacks and spend the money saved on souvenirs in the nearby shop. After a good coffee and a meal, we went to the huge IMAX 3D cinema. If you haven’t been there yet, you truly must go there, the visual and sound experience is absolutely overwhelming. The screen itself, 30 × 40 meters in size, is literally overwhelming. We came across a film about dinosaurs and even though I had previously been to 3D cinema, I sometimes jumped in fear when a prehistoric creature roared right next to me.

Technic Museum in Speyer and Sinsheim at the end of a great adventure

And so we’ve reached the end of our adventure at the Technik Museum in Speyer and Sinsheim, though I haven’t even covered half of the attractions these places have to offer. We all had a fantastic time, so much so that we returned three years later, and it’s almost certain we’ll go back again whenever the opportunity arises.

The only downside is the fatigue after a full day of exploring. Both museums have hotels on-site, and for a very reasonable price, you can stay overnight and split your visit across two days. It’s a good idea to check beforehand if there are any large events taking place at the venues, as hotel rooms can sell out quickly during those times.

In summary, I consider these to be the most fascinating technical museums I’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting. My son wholeheartedly agrees, and my wife — well, partially, which means there’s truly something here for everyone.

Technic Museum in Speyer and Sinsheim information and interesting facts

• The Museum of Technology in Speyer and Sinsheim is just an hour’s drive from Frankfurt.
• Officially, each museum takes 3 to 4 hours, but I know from experience that it will be a quick and tiring hike. It is best to plan your visit over two or even three days.
• Remember that if you visit the museums on your birthday, you will receive free admission to most of the attractions.
• Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the museum grounds, unless they are guide dogs.
• The entire grounds are wheelchair accessible, except for inaccessible and difficult to access areas such as the interiors of aircraft and other vehicles.
• You can take pictures in the museums without restrictions. You can also use tripods and lamps, as long as it does not disturb other visitors.
• The museums are open daily from 9:00 to 18:00, and on weekends from 9:00 to 19:00.
• The IMAX 3D cinema and museum cafés are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
• Ticket prices may change, so I refer you to the website, where you will always find the current price.
  • Sinsheim Museum.
  • Speyer Museum.
• You can buy a special two-day package that includes tickets to both museums plus overnight stay in a hotel with breakfast.
• In both museums you will find restaurants with a fairly extensive menu, but the prices are quite high. For example, a small bowl of soup costs 8 euros and a sausage with fries 15 euros.
• Both museums organize special events to celebrate various events. It is worth visiting their website to see what you can take part in.

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