ZEISS Museum of Optics

Experience 175 years of innovation firsthand! Join us on a fascinating journey through the world of optics.

More than 1,000 exciting and often unique exhibits on an area of 1,000 m2.

In ten different categories, you can enjoy interesting, valuable and unexpected encounters with the history of product and technology development that are important to ZEISS. 

The exhibition takes you from the present into the past: from leading-edge medical technology systems ad the photo of Neil Armstrong, which he captured with a ZEISS lens during the first moon langing, right up to one of Napoleon’s telescopes.
 

From Planetariums to Optical Lithography

Explore the evolution of trailblazing optical technologies, methods and instruments not only visually, but by trying numerous exhibits out for yourself, with a host of interactive exbibits like microscopes and telescopes.

Focusing on Important Moments

Eyeglass lenses and ophthalmological instruments

Without pioneers like ZEISS, many people would not be able to see the world in all its splendor today. ZEISS has been developing technologies for diagnosing and treating eye diseases for more than 100 years. Embark on a fascinating tour through the world of ophthalmology.

Deepening Insights

Microscopes

Microscopes have enabled some of the most important discoveries in history – from penicillin to stem cell research. Explore the unique microcosm of ZEISS, the pioneer in optics.
Maintaining Health

Medical Technology

Modern medicine has already saved millions of lives. Surgeons around the globe rely on visualization solutions from ZEISS. Experience this fascinating world up close!
Setting Standards

Metrology

From the automotive industry to medical technology: without precision measuring technology, industrial production would hardly be able to meet the high standards expected of products. See for yourself.
Enabling Digitization

Optical lithography

Everyday life would be virtually unthinkable without lithography optics: it is the key process used for the production of microchips which now pervade practically every facet of the modern world. Learn more about the technologies and methods developed and used at ZEISS.
Capturing Those Important Moments

Camera lenses

Whether macro, tele or wide-angle: the right lens is a must for creating exceptional photographs. Explore the evolution of the various camera lenses at ZEISS. Always wanted to go to Hollywood? Now you can experience Oscar-winning camera technology from ARRI in cooperation with ZEISS in Oberkochen as well.

Visitor Information

Entry is free of charge.

Tel.: +49 (0)7364 200
Email: mus eum @zeiss .com

ZEISS Museum of Optics
Carl-Zeiss-Strasse 22
73447 Oberkochen, Germany

Our opening hours

Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm

Closed on holidays and weekends and the following days:

  • Wednesday 11/30/2022 from 8.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m.
  • from Thursday, 12/22/22 up to and including Sunday, 01/08/23
  • from Monday, 07/31/23 up to and including Friday, 08/04/23

You’re interested in booking a museum tour or have a group with more than 10 people: Here’s the link to the form.

Suitable for children aged 12 and up

ZEISS Museum of Optics

Carl-Zeiss-Strasse 22
73447 Oberkochen

Directions

Corona

We ask that the following be observed when visiting the ZEISS Museum of Optics:

  1. Please respect the local/regional and company regulations: Keep your distance, follow hygiene rules, wear a mask in a crowded everyday situation.
  2. Please use the Corona warning app.
  3. Please do a self-test (at home/at your hotel) before visiting ZEISS.
  4. Please only come to ZEISS symptom-free. If you have any symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 despite a negative self-test, please go see a doctor for clarification.
  5. If you develop symptoms during your visit, please leave the factory premises. Testing may not be performed in the Museum/Forum rooms under any circumstances and does not rule out a COVID-19 infection.
  6. If you have a confirmed SARS-Cov-2 infection, follow the rules for Baden-Württemberg  

Photography and Filming
Photography, filming, video recordings and other types of image capture without a tripod or flash as well as drawings are allowed so long as they are intended exclusively for personal use. We would ask that you be courteous to other visitors when taking photos or filming and ensure that other people are only photographed with their consent. 

Licensing these images/videos to third parties for commercial purposes or positing them on the Internet is not permitted. Photographs for editorial purposes require the consent of the Press Office (pr ess @zeiss .com).

Photography and filming are not permitted on the rest of the premises.
 

Lockers
A large number of lockers are available at the museum for your bag. These require a one or two-euro coin.

Parking
A limited number of parking spaces for cars is available directly in front of the museum. On-street parking requires a "parking disc."

Handling the Exhibits
The objects on display have already been pre-adjusted for you. Thus no further adjustments are needed.

Focusing on Important Moments Eyeglass lenses and ophthalmological instruments
Discover Infinity Planetariums
Deepening Insights Microscopes
Setting Standards Metrology
Maintaining Health Medical Technology
Capturing Those Important Moments Camera lenses
Bringing Distant Objects Closer Binoculars
Enabling Digitization Optical lithography
The Treasure Chamber of Optics Key Pieces

175 years of ZEISS

Challenge the limits of Imagination

175 years of ZEISS

When ZEISS started 175 years ago, we and our customers were inspired by curiosity, passion and precision – new perspectives that shaped how we looked at the world. To see major challenges and turn them into great opportunities. Despite the many ways the world has changed over the past 175 years, one thing will stay the same: Together we challenge the limits of imagination.

Discover more about our anniversary

The Journey to the Moon and ZEISS

A special exhibit entitled "See beyond. Go beyond. The journey to the Moon and ZEISS" has been held at the ZEISS Museum of Optics in Oberkochen. 

The technological achievements and valuable observations made by some of the first pioneers in space were not the only reason the race to the Moon proved so impressive. Even today, we continue to be fascinated by the stunning photographs the astronauts brought back to Earth from their missions and from the Moon itself. Camera lenses specially designed by ZEISS for use in space played an important role in capturing these images.

They could have be seen at the special exhibit. It also featured a ZEISS Ikon Contarex camera, which the Gemini 4 pilot used during the first American spacewalk, and the legendary Hasselblad camera from the Apollo 11 mission. This cameras returned to their places in the permanent exhibition.

https://www.zeiss.com/moon
 

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ZEISS Forum

Conference – Event – Museum

The ZEISS Forum offers you many different possibilities for events and conferences. The 17 rooms of the ZEISS Forum, with capacities for groups between 5 and 310 people, leave nothing to be desired and offer optimal facilities for events.

ZEISS Forum- Conference – Event – Museum