smac – State Museum for Archaeology Chemnitz

Over 6.000 exhibits on three floors show the history of mankind from the paleolithic age to the early industrial age.
In May 2014 the National Museum of Archaeology Chemnitz opened in the former Schocken department store, the world-famous architectural icon of classical modernism planned by the architect Erich Mendelsohn. Over 6.000 exhibits on three floors show the history of mankind from the paleolithic age to the early industrial age.

The museum shows the development of Saxony from the time of the first hunters and collectors up to the beginning of industrialization on three floors and approximately 3000 square meters with the most modern exhibition technology. The fourth floor provides a framework for special exhibitions that deal with current issues. Three separated from the permanent archaeological exhibition areas are dedicated to the history of the department store , the architect of the  building and the department store group co-founder Salman Schocken.

A spectacular visitor attraction is located in the center of the house: A floating, or even kinetic sculpture of Saxony is a running through all three floors of the permanent exhibition.

Good to know

Accessibility

Saxony Barrier-Free
Notes on accessibility / deviations from the pictograms:

  • 8 disabled parking spaces at the public car park „An der Johanniskirche" (Bahnhofstraße/ Augustusburger Straße) in approx. 50 m distance
  • The lockers in the entrance area are available at any accessible height
  • The exhibition is wheelchair accessible in all areas
  • Lift: Door 90 cm, space of 102x140 cm for turning a wheelchair

  • Tactile floor guidance system, tactile orientation plans in the foyer and the 3 exhibition levels
  • Audio guides with voice-over function
  • Guided tours for the blind on request
  • Reading glasses and texts in large print available for hire

  • Inductive hearing system at the ticket office and in the lecture hall
  • Portable hearing loops for audio guides
  • Video guides with tours in German sign language
  • Public guided tours for users of the German sign language and simple language

  • Mobile and fixed seating in the foyer and exhibition levels
  • 3 wheelchairs and 3 walkers for hire

  •  Extensive information in simple language
Parking
  • indicated disabled parking space available

Entrance to the facility / paths within the facility
  • Door width min. 90 cm

  • Stepless access (max. 3 cm) or ramp

Lift
  • Door width min. 90 cm

  • Stepless access (max. 3 cm) or ramp

  • Floor area of lift min. 110x140 cm

Accessible toilet
  • Door width min. 90 cm

  • Stepless access (max. 3 cm) or ramp

  • Movement area in front of toilet bowl min. 150x150 cm

  • Area left or right of the toilet bowl min. 90 cm

  • Hinged hand rails at the side of the toilet bowl provided

Additional aids / offers
  • Aids / offers for blind and visually impaired persons

Additional aids / offers
  • Aids / offers for deaf and hearing-impaired persons

Additional aids / offers
  • Aids / offers for persons with learning and mental disabilities

Family vacation

Archeology dust-free - that is how families experience 300,000 years of human and cultural history in the SMAC. The museum in the center from Chemnitz surprised by its modern, multimedia presentation. That's how a museum does it Fun! Over 6000 exhibits and exciting installations illuminate the time from the first Hunters and collectors until the beginning of the Industrialization.

particularities:

  • Family tours, children's parties, holiday programs
  • May: Chemnitzer museum night with family program
  • September: "Family day in smac" with many great hands-on offers

Author

Tourismus Marketing Gesellschaft Sachsen mbH
Bautzner Straße 45/47
01099 Dresden

Organization

Tourismus Marketing Gesellschaft Sachsen mbH