Francke Foundations

Thanks to the support of the state of Saxony-Anhalt, the concept and lines of argumentation for a World Heritage application are being developed with international scientific support. A so-called upstream process is planned for 2023.

Our exhibitions are open again and events can take place again. Please familiarise yourself with the current regulations before your visit and secure your time slot in our exhibitions with a pre-booked appointment.

In 1721, the foundation stone for the first children's hospital in Germany was laid in the Francke Foundations. The 300th anniversary of this event is the occasion for the annual exhibition, which for the first time comprehensively presents the medicine of Halle's Pietism, which was widely influential in the 18th century.

Look back with us to 1990: What was it like when many people doubted the ruinous state of the Foundation's buildings and some found the courage to begin the reconstruction work? We asked contemporary witnesses and rummaged through our photos.

Exactly 300 years ago, medical history was made at the Francke Foundations: August Hermann Francke (1663–1727) had a hospital building built in 1721, which today can be considered the first children’s hospital in Europe. For historical and current reasons, we are dedicating our annual program in 2021 to the topic of health and well-being.

The Francke Foundations, the Art Chamber of Peter the Great in St. Petersburg (Russia) and the Teylers Museum in Haarlem (Netherlands) invite you to take a closer look at the Early Modern Universal Museums.

In the current summer edition of »Merian«, the Wunderkammer in the Historic Orphanage is one of the 60 most beautiful museums in Germany, and the publishing house Taschen is placing it in »Cabinet of Curiosities« in a series with 18 extraordinary collections in Italy, France, Denmark or Sweden. Visit the only completely preserved Cabinet of Artefacts and Curiosietes in Europe at its authentic location in the Francke Foundations!