Lukasklause & Otto von Guericke Museum
Lukasklause
A medieval defensive tower on the Elbe bank that now houses the Otto von Guericke Museum, which tells the story of the famous Magdeburg hemispheres experiment.
Lukasklause is a medieval defensive tower on the bank of the Elbe, now housing the Otto von Guericke Museum. Guericke was a 17th-century mayor and scientist of Magdeburg. In 1654 he used two copper hemispheres from which the air had been evacuated, pulled apart by teams of horses, to demonstrate atmospheric pressure. This is the famous Magdeburg Hemispheres Experiment. The museum displays replicas of the experiment and related history of science. It is quite small and suits visitors interested in the history of science, and experiment demonstrations are occasionally held in summer.
Opening hours
Tue–Sun approx. 10:00–17:00
Nearby sights
- St. John's Church
- Alter Markt & Magdeburg Rider
- Elbauenpark & Jahrtausendturm
- Kloster Unser Lieben Frauen
- Green Citadel of Magdeburg
- Magdeburg Cathedral
- Rotehorn Park & Albinmüller Tower
- Dommuseum Ottonianum