Museum Ludwig is a gleaming modern museum complex that houses an excellent collection of artworks made after the year 1900. Stroll around the spacious galleries and learn about some of the 20th century’s most significant artists. The museum has works from the pop art, abstract and surrealist movements, as well as one of the largest collections of Picasso pieces in Europe. Check out the collection of photographs and daguerreotypes from the 19th and 20th centuries and explore the interesting program of temporary exhibitions.
Standing outside the Museum Ludwig, note its stunning brick façade and the ornamental shapes in its zinc-clad roof. Explore the spacious galleries to see artworks from the museum’s extensive collection of modern art, which incorporates the holdings of collectors Peter Ludwig and Josef Haubrich. In the Haubrich collection, find pieces from the Expressionist and Classical Modernist movements, including works by Erich Heckel, Otto Mueller, Marc Chagall and Otto Dix. Ludwig’s centerpiece collection contains works by pop artists Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein, as well as Russian avant-garde works and a large collection of Picasso pieces.
As you stroll through the galleries, admire the interplay of light and space that has been created by the building’s designers. Large windows that show the magnificent view outside enhance your tour around the museum. In between modern masterpieces, see views of the Rhine River, the Cologne Cathedral, Heinrich-Böll-Platz and the landmark Hohenzollern Bridge.
Visit the second floor to reach the Art and Museum Library and peruse the museum’s countless books and documents on art. Adjacent to the library, find the museum’s auditorium. Check the program of seminars and talks to learn what’s on during your visit to the museum. Access the rooftop terrace above the auditorium, which regularly hosts events during the summer.
Museum Ludwig is located in the center of Cologne’s Old Town, directly across from the Cologne Cathedral. The museum is closed on Mondays and select holidays during the Christmas and New Year period. Make the most of the museum’s discounted Thursday evening admission prices.
