ZEISS Museum of Optics

Experience over 170 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 160 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

Opening Hours
Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Closed on weekends and public holidays and the following days:

from 24 December 2020 until 6 January 2021

all day

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

The ZEISS Museum of Optics is open again!

We’ve taken measures in order to protect visitors and employees alike and we’ve implemented the hygiene regulations prescribed by the local authorities.

Access to the museum is only possible via the Forum reception (unfortunately, access via the main entrance is not possible).

What’s important?

  • We are obliged to collect your data.
  • The number of visitors is limited, we ask for your understanding if this results in waiting times for you.
  • There is a one-way rule in the museum.
  • Please keep a distance of at least 1.5 meters.
  • You are obliged to wear a mouth and nose cover when visiting the museum (children: from 6 years on). Ideally, you should bring your own cover.
  • Please disinfect or wash your hands regularly and thoroughly, do not touch your face.
  • Please note the well-known sneeze and cough routines.

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

The Journey to the Moon and ZEISS

Special exhibition at the ZEISS Museum of Optics in Oberkochen, Germany

A special exhibit entitled "See beyond. Go beyond. The journey to the Moon and ZEISS" is currently being held at the ZEISS Museum of Optics in Oberkochen. It features selected items from the ZEISS Archives.

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 can be seen at the special exhibit. It also features 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.

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