Image Copyright: Copyright 2005 Museen der Stadt Aachen

The museum, rich in tradition is not only worth seeing for its arts collection.� Arisen from an upper middle class town-palace of the late 19th century the museum conveys - still more so since its�recent renovation and exposure of old wall paintings and coffered ceilings - a good insight into historical�building concepts.�As the same time as the renovation a clear extension (arch Busmann & Haberer, 1992-94) was built, which gives the museum's collection from the antiquity to the present new room.

The museum that grew from citizens' donations owns today one of the most important medieval sculpture collections Germany's for the time from the 12th century to the 16th century.�This culminates in a great collection of carved altars. Late gothic, baroque, romantic as well as classical modernism paintings are further highlights.�Cologne, south German and Dutch paintings of the 15th and 16th century and sculptures that originated at the same time in the mentioned regions are standing in dialogue.�Four halls with Dutch paintings of the 17th century shine through works of outstanding masters.��

The Tapestry hall also attracts interest, which forms at the same time a treasury for an important goldsmith collection.�Rich stocks of glass paintings, antiques and handicrafts supplement the comprehensive museum's walk-about through several main epochs of European art history.�The Suermondt-Ludwig-Museum has in addition also a prominent copper engraving cabinet as well as an art library and offers many museum educational activities.