Guest Article by Tonya Schulz

Schloss Aschach's 2026 programme blends culture, records and family fun

The Museums at Schloss Aschach are launching their 2026 season with great anticipation. Following a successful 2025—capped off by "Christmas at Schloss Aschach"—the new program builds on continuity while introducing fresh inspiration.

The season kicks off with a vibrant Family Weekend on March 27–28, 2026, featuring guided tours, creative workshops, and insights into the salon exhibition "Grand Voyages in Miniature: Bottle Ships and Their World."

Aschach: A Hidden Gem

The Museums at Schloss Aschach are an institution of the District of Lower Franconia. Stefan Funk, President of the District Council, personally opened the event-filled season on Friday in his role as "lord of the castle."

"Schloss Aschach is a jewel in every season," he emphasized in his welcome remarks, praising the extraordinary dedication of museum director Josefine Glöckner and her team.

Discovering "Airships"

With the new season comes the opening of the first special exhibition. The Graf-Luxburg Museum will showcase ten bottle ships by Matthias Schultz, a native of Bremen now living in Bad Kissingen.

A specialist editor by profession, Schultz presents a selection from his collection of over 70 artworks. The ten chosen bottle ships—crafted by this passionate model builder—are displayed alongside objects from the museum's permanent collection.

Among them is his world-record ship, the largest free-floating bottle ship in existence. Building such "airships" is a signature skill of this devoted artisan.

Season Highlights

Early standout events include a walking concert on April 25, 2026, followed by the Schlossfest on May 9–10, 2026, featuring music, guided tours, and a flea market. On June 20, 2026, at 5:30 PM and 8:00 PM, visitors can enjoy "Shakespeare to Go," a theatrical stroll through the grounds.

The Wine Festival on July 3–4, 2026—organized in collaboration with the Friends and Supporters of Schloss Aschach Museums and MAINPOP—will feature performances by up-and-coming Lower Franconian bands and the TG Big Band Schweinfurt.

Families and children will delight in the Family Festival on August 9, 2026, with interactive play stations, while the Moon Festival on September 26, 2026 adds an international flair.

In October 2026, the museum will debut its first digital lecture series, "Between Representation and Passion: Noble Collections in Focus," featuring expert speakers.

The year concludes once again with "Christmas at Schloss Aschach" on December 12–13, 2026, offering a Christmas market, castle tours, children's activities, and live music.

Special Exhibition: Stitched and Sewn

The major special exhibition, "Stitched and Sewn," opens on May 13, 2026, exploring textile handicraft traditions in the Rhön region. From spinning rooms and school needlework classes to eras when mending and repurposing were vital for survival, the exhibition traces these crafts up to the present day.

Entirely conceived and curated by the museum team, the show adopts a multiperspective approach, with hands-on stations and a dedicated creative area inviting visitors to engage all their senses and try their hand at various techniques.