The original Nebra Sky Disc is a visitor magnet at the State Museum of Prehistory in Halle (Saale). The world's oldest concrete depiction of the heavens is presented in its permanent exhibition. Visitors can also immerse themselves in the world of the Early Bronze Age, which produced the Sky Disc, and there are also exciting insights into other epochs from the Stone Age to the early modern period.
Feel the Aura of the Original in Halle (Saale)
This find of the century with its thrilling story of discovery, the fascinating astronomical and mythological symbolism and the brilliance of the gold captivates every observer. In 1999, two explorers illegally dug up a bronze disc on the Mittelberg and sold it to fences. It was not until 2002, after several stops, that the disc and its accompanying finds were recovered by the police and the state archaeologist of Saxony-Anhalt in a hotel in Basel.
The Nebra Sky Disc is the world's oldest known concrete representation of the cosmos, making it a unique testimony to the history of mankind. The 3,600-year-old bronze disc measures 32 centimetres in diameter and shows the sun - and depending on the interpretation, also the full moon - a crescent moon and a total of 32 golden stars. There are few archaeological exhibits that are as sought after by museums as the Nebra Sky Disc. As the centerpiece of various exhibitions, it has already been on display in Copenhagen, Vienna, Basel and Berlin. Since 2008, it has had a permanent place in the permanent exhibition of the State Museum of Prehistory in Halle (Saale), which is one of the most important archaeological museums in Central Europe.
Exhibitions on display here convey current research in magnificent images, impressive stories and objects of international significance. Stagings create a realistic picture of life in the Stone, Bronze and Iron Ages - with ferocious cave lions and imposing mammoths, thoughtful Neanderthals, shamans, burial chambers, gold-rich princely tombs and, of course, the original "Nebra Sky Disc".
Where the Disc was Found
The Nebra Ark Visitor Center is located directly at the historic site of the famous Nebra Sky Disc and offers an exciting journey into the world of the Bronze Age. Here, visitors can learn all about the discovery of the important archaeological find. Modern exhibitions, interactive stations and the planetarium bring the history of the Sky Disc to life and provide insights into the astronomical knowledge of the time. The visitor center is a fascinating starting point for a discovery tour through the region and offers a unique view of the horizon, which was an important astronomical landmark for the Bronze Age.
"The Sky Disc is one of the few artifacts that allows us to understand the spiritual world of prehistoric people 3,600 years ago."
State Archaelogist Harald Meller
In June 2013, the Nebra Sky Disc was added to the Memory of the World Register by UNESCO. This register includes valuable book collections, manuscripts, musical scores, unique items, visual, audio and film documents that represent the collective memory of different peoples.
Visitor Information
State Museum of Prehistory
Richard-Wagner-Straße 9
06114 Halle (Saale)
Tue – Fri: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sat, Sun & Holidays: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Mon: by appointment only (groups, guided tours)
Closed on December 24 & 31
Adults: €12.00
Reduced rate: €9.00
Children (ages 0–5): Free admission
Children/teens (ages 6–18): €3.00
Groups (10 or more people): €9.00 per person
Annual pass for individuals: €30.00
Annual pass for families: €60.00
Annual pass for those eligible for reduced rates: €20.00
Audio guides: €3.00
State Museum of Prehistory
Richard-Wagner-Straße 9
06114 Halle (Saale)
Phone: 0345 52 4730
Fax: 0345 52 47 351
info@landesmuseum-vorgeschichte.de
If you have any questions or would like to register, you’ve come to the right place:
Phone: 0345 52 47 361 or -465
Fax: 0345 52 47 503