International Museum Day Trier

The International Museum Day was initiated in 1977 by the International Council of Museums (ICOM) and has taken place every year on the third Sunday in May since 1978. In Trier, which is one of Rhineland-Palatinate's most important museum cities with its UNESCO World Heritage sites, the event day has become a firm meeting point for locals, students, and day-trippers.

In 2026, the focus will be on five institutions, all within walking distance in the old town. The Rheinische Landesmuseum Trier presents its permanent exhibition "Römerzeit XXL" and invites visitors to an open mosaic workshop where adults and children can create their own mini-mosaics. The Stadtmuseum Simeonstift opens its collection on Trier's city history and offers short curatorial tours of the special exhibition. The Museum am Dom focuses on sacred art and liturgical treasures, while the Karl-Marx-Haus explores the biographical path of the philosopher born in Trier. Rare manuscripts and medieval prints can be seen in the Schatzkammer der Wissenschaftlichen Bibliothek.

In addition to free admission, the program includes numerous special tours, talks with restorers and curators, hands-on stations for families, and creative workshops. Many activities are specifically aimed at young visitors, introducing them to the collections in a playful way. Those who wish to visit multiple museums can easily travel from one museum to another using the public Trier Card offer.

The event day is part of a global initiative that brings together more than 35,000 museums in over 150 countries annually. For Trier, it is an opportunity to showcase the diversity of its cultural institutions and to attract people who might not typically visit a museum.