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Rautenstrauch-Joest Museum – Cultures of the World

The Rautenstrauch-Joest Museum is an ethnological museum that is undergoing a continuous process of transformation and critically reflecting on the colonial history of its collections. New perspectives are emerging through collaboration with communities of origin and diaspora communities. The permanent exhibition is being gradually updated to incorporate diverse voices and create spaces for dialogue and active participation.

Rautenstrauch-Joest-Museum Aussenansicht, Foto: Wolfgang F. Meier

About the museum

As an ethnological museum, the Rautenstrauch-Joest-Museum – Cultures of the World is undergoing a continuous process of transformation. Many objects from Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Oceania found their way to Cologne during the colonial era – often through violence, coercion, and unjust power relations. The museum confronts this history and asks: Who collected these objects, who is telling the stories about whom, and how can we retell these stories?

The RJM works together with people from the societies of origin from which the collections come, as well as with diasporic communities in Cologne. They are experts, co-researchers, advisors, artists, and storytellers. The joint exchange focuses on the lasting effects of colonialism, acquisition, ownership, and restitution—but also on justice, healing, and solidarity. The museum sees itself as a space for decolonization, respectful dialogue, and tolerance.

The permanent exhibition from 2010 is being gradually renewed. This is creating space for diverse voices, languages, narratives, and forms of knowledge. Places such as the Yellow Room with its anti-colonial library or SPACE4KIDS as a creative space for children and young people invite visitors to think, empathize, and participate. Children and young people have a right to museums and cultural participation and are actively involved in shaping the RJM.

Logo of the Rautenstrauch-Joest Museum

All further information can be found on the website of the Rautenstrauch-Joest-Museum.

To the website

Impressions from the museum

Rautenstrauch-Joest-Museum exterior view

Rautenstrauch-Joest-Museum exterior view, Photo: Wolfgang F. Meier

Visit information

0221 221-31356
rjm@stadt-koeln.de
 

Tuesday – Sunday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Thursday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Open on public holidays as on Sundays

Closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day

Single ticket for permanent exhibition: 7 €, reduced rate: 4,50 €
Single ticket for special exhibition: 6 €, reduced rate: 4 €

Combined ticket for permanent exhibition and special exhibition: 9 €, reduced rate: 7 €

Group ticket for permanent exhibition for 10 or more people: 4,50 € per person

Combined ticket for Rautenstrauch-Joest-Museum/Museum Schnütgen: 10 €, reduced: € 7

Free admission for children under 6 accompanied by an adult, schoolchildren, trainees, Cologne residents under 18, KölnPass holders, and members of the Friends of the Museum.

Severely disabled persons pay 50% of the regular admission price. An accompanying person is admitted free of charge if the letter B is noted on the disability card. 

Cäcilienstraße 29–33
50667 Köln

Website: www.rautenstrauch-joest-museum.de 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rjmkoeln
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rautenstrauchjoestmuseumkoeln/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/RautenstrauchJoestMuseum

Directions & Transportation
Public transport
Bus, subway, streetcar: Neumarkt (5 minutes walk)

Parking
Cäcilienstraße

Short stop for coaches directly in front of the museum, Cäcilienstraße stop; parking for coaches on the banks of the Rhine.

The museum is wheelchair accessible. The museum has video guides for deaf people. The devices can be borrowed free of charge from the information desk in the foyer.

Museum shop
Postcards, stationery and children's toys, original jewelry and textiles from many countries of the world, ethnographic art and utility items, professional and entertainment literature.

http://www.msshop33.de

Gastronomy
Di – So 11 – 18 Uhr

Support association
Museumsgesellschaft RJM e. V.
rjmkoeln.de/gesellschaft

Exhibitions at the Rautenstrauch-Joest-Museum

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Events

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Support the museums. How it works

Make room - for civic engagement!

Interview with Dr. Klaus Piehler Chairman of the Museum Society of the Rautenstrauch Joest Museum - Cultures of the World

To the interview

Klaus Piehler

Where is the Rautenstrauch-Joest-Museum?