Karlstein Energy Museum Days
Open house days at the former VAK Information Centre
About Energy Museum Days
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A Museum in the Shadow of Germany's First Nuclear Power Plant
Karlstein am Main in the Bavarian district of Aschaffenburg is home to an extraordinary museum: Located right next to the site of the Kahl experimental nuclear power plant (VAK), Germany's first commercially operated nuclear power facility, is the Karlstein Energy Museum. It is housed in the so-called Faberhaus — the former VAK information centre, named after Dr. Peter Faber, head of chemistry at VAK. The Energy Museum Days open their doors to the general public once a year.
What Visitors Can Expect
The programme is designed by former VAK employees and retirees who share their own stories. Over three days, visitors can participate in guided tours and attend lectures on energy history, gas turbine technology, battery innovations, VAK decommissioning, and the Großwelzheim steam-cooled heavy water reactor. Demonstrations, including on a gas turbine simulator, make technology tangible.
Energy Lab for Youth
A special focus is placed on the ENERGY Lab: Modules on frequency amplifiers, electric motors, renewable energy systems, and oscilloscope measurements invite young people and curious adults to participate. The organisers — all volunteers — see the museum not as a monument to the past, but as a place of learning for the energy future.
From Reactor to Hydrogen
The thematic range extends from lignite mining and nuclear power (VAK was founded in 1958 and shut down in 1985) to modern topics such as hydrogen and battery technology. Exhibits include the main reactor control panel, original VAK educational charts, turbine rotors from VAK and HDR, and inactive models of the reactor internals.
Energy Museum Days — edition 2026
The Karlstein Energy Museum invites the public for the second time to its open house days in 2026. For three days, visitors can explore the Faberhaus, talk to former VAK employees, and experience topics related to Germany's energy history — from lignite and the beginnings of civilian nuclear energy use to hydrogen and renewable energies.
The programme varies slightly from day to day, so it's worth checking the detailed schedule in advance. Key components include guided tours of the permanent exhibition, technical demonstrations on the gas turbine simulator, and youth workshops in the ENERGY Lab.
Programme Energy Museum Days 2026
Friday, June 12, 2026 — Kick-off
- Opening of the Open House Days
- Guided tours of the permanent exhibition with former VAK employees
- Lecture on the history of the Kahl experimental nuclear power plant (1958-1985)
- Demonstration on the gas turbine simulator
Saturday, June 13, 2026 — Family Day
- ENERGY Lab for young people (frequency amplifiers, electric motors, oscilloscope measurements)
- Lectures on battery innovations and hydrogen technology
- Themed tours: VAK decommissioning, Großwelzheim steam-cooled heavy water reactor
Sunday, June 14, 2026 — Closing
- Last chance for tours and lab visits
- Discussion panels with former employees
- Presentation of the special exhibition "From Coal via Nuclear Power to Hydrogen"
Programme details and times at karlstein.de/energiemuseum.
Highlights Energy Museum Days 2026
- Guided tours with former VAK employees
- Original exhibits from the Kahl experimental nuclear power plant
- ENERGY Lab for young visitors
- Gas turbine simulator to try out
- Lectures on hydrogen and battery technology
Prices Energy Museum Days 2026
Admission is free on all three days. Donations to support the volunteer-run museum are welcome.
Practical information — Energy Museum Days
Getting There
By car via the A45 (Stockstadt exit) or the B8. By train to Aschaffenburg, then take bus line 41 or 42 to Karlstein.
Admission
Free on all three days. Donations to support the museum's operation are welcome.
Tip
If you have more time, combine your visit with a tour of the Maintal valley and a stop at the historic Aschaffenburg Castle Garden.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Energy Museum Days al mejor precio.
Sponsored link
Where it takes place Energy Museum Days
Energiemuseum Karlstein (Faberhaus)
Kölner Straße 25, 63791 Karlstein a.Main