Society for Imperial Chamber Court Research, Wetzlar

Museum and Research Center for the Imperial Chamber Court (Reichskammergericht)

I. Description

The Reichskammergericht or Imperial Chamber Court was created under Maximilian I. in the course of the Imperial Reform and establishment of the „Perpetual Peace“ in 1495 as the highest court of the Holy Roman Empire German Nation. The Court’s task was to develop a regulated procedure for the settlement of disputes by judicial means rather than by feud, force or ransom and thus to steer legal disputes onto a peaceful track. After holding court in various south and southwest German cities, the Court had its seat in Speyer from 1527 until that city’s destruction in 1689. Thereafter the Court moved its seat to Wetzlar, where it remained until the end of the Old Empire in1806. Over the course of the 19th century the significance of the Court was largely forgotten. This has changed significantly, however, since the 1960s.

Research Center for Supreme Jurisdiction in Pre-modern Europe

The research center located in the same building investigates the foundations, methods and impact of the jurisdiction of the Imperial Chamber Court and other supreme courts in the Old Empire or Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation as well as the legal and social circumstances of the judges and lawyers.

The research center sees itself as a coordination point for all researchers working on the supreme jurisdiction in the Old Kingdom. International colloquia by renowned scholars on current research activities are held regularly on the Center's own premises.

The Imperial Chamber Court Museum was opened in 1987. It uses a three-storey camera palace built by the court assessor Franz von Papius, which is ideally suited for museum presentation. As a special historical museum, it draws on a considerable collection of its own and on permanent loans.

Original paintings, furniture, sculptures and contemporary printed works, as well as graphic representations and textual explanations, are used to illustrate the structure, working methods, difficulties and obstacles, but also the achievements and effects of the Imperial Chamber Court throughout its entire period of activity, its role in the coexistence of the imperial organs and its significance for the development of legal literature and the history of social and mentalities. A room is available for a film screening as an introduction to the topic.

Admission - Pay what you want

As a visitor, you determine your own admission price for the Imperial Chamber Court Museum.
After your visit, you decide how much you would like to pay. There is a donation box in the entrance area for this purpose.

Museum Hours

Entrance to the museum: Hofstatt 19

Tuesday to Sunday and public holidays

01.11. – 31.03.	11.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m.
01.04. – 31.10.	11.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m.

The museum is closed on Mondays and the following public holidays: 24.12., 25.12., 31.12., 01.01.

Adresses

Gesellschaft für Reichskammergerichtsforschung e. V.

Rosengasse 16

35578 Wetzlar

+ 49 6441 994161

Find out more about our museum

Impressions of our exhibition

Emperor Maximilian

Official attire

the judge and lawyers

letter of nobility

Chamber Judge Heinrich von Reigersberg

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The Imperial Chamber Court was one of the most important courts of its time and played a central role in legal history. Our research is helping to gain valuable new insights into its decisions, working methods and impact.

With your help, we can continue to expand our museum, preserve historical documents and research the history of the Imperial Chamber Court in greater depth. Every support - big or small - makes a difference and helps to preserve our cultural heritage.

Together we can keep history alive.

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