LVR-Landesmuseum Bonn

The museum's current main building at Colmantstraße 14-16 was constructed between 1889 and 1892. A major renovation and expansion project took place from 1997 to 2003, designed by the Stuttgart-based architect group led by Knut Lohrer. This extensive renovation, which cost approximately 80 million euros, adapted the building to modern museological and ecological standards. The project doubled the initially planned construction time and allowed for a completely new presentation of the exhibits, including the redesign of the 'Stone Age Area'.

The museum's permanent exhibition features several world-renowned highlights, including the late Ice Age finds such as the Neanderthal skull, which is a central piece of the 'Stone Age Area'. Another iconic artifact is the tombstone of Marcus Caelius, a rare witness to the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest. The collection also encompasses a vast array of provincial Roman objects, medieval art, and works by Rhineland and Flemish-Dutch painters. The museum houses significant photographic collections, including the bequests of Liselotte Strelow, Hermann Claasen, and Angela Neuke.

During the National Socialist era, the museum underwent a drastic ideological restructuring. In 1934, it was renamed from 'Provincial Museum Bonn' to 'Rhineland State Museum'. The presentation was shifted to emphasize prehistory and early history to align with Nazi ideology, while Roman artifacts were marginalized. This period also saw the sale of parts of the Wesendonck collection in 1935. Following World War II, the museum focused on repairing war damage and re-establishing its collections, eventually introducing museum education programs in the 1970s.

As one of the oldest museums in Germany, the LVR-Landesmuseum Bonn plays a crucial role in preserving and presenting the cultural history of the Rhineland. Its comprehensive collections and modern exhibition design, particularly after the 2003 renovation, make it a leading institution for archaeological and cultural history in the region. The museum continues to engage in research, restoration, and provenance research, maintaining its status as a vital educational and cultural hub for the public.