Revamped Schalke museum reopens for a journey through time
30.01.2009
Blood, sweat, tears and titles: the Schalke museum brings over a century of Royal Blue history to life. Following an extensive refurbishment the museum now offers even more tradition, soon to be augmented by a 34 centimetre pin from Klaus Fischer's leg.
"Hey, Klaus, when you broke your leg", jokes Olaf Thon in front of a display cabinet, "does the bone still exist as an exhibit?" The former Germany international has not reckoned with Fischer's lightning retort. "Not for the museum, no", says the striker who made Schalke's team of the century. "But I have got the 34 centimetre pin they put in my leg. I'll bring it round later." It would blend in well with the colourful backdrop, that pin, and add to more than 3,000 exhibits relating some 105 years of Schalke football history.
Around 750,000 visitors have retraced the club's steps since the museum opened in 2000. Incentive enough, then, to bring it up to date. "The refurbishment was necessary because history marches on", explains Schalke board member Peter Peters. Schalke were one of the first Bundesliga clubs to translate the idea of a museum into reality. "In doing so we were able to strike a balance between financial constraints and showcasing the club's history in an attractive way", stresses Peters, for this little gem on staircase 12 in the East Stand regularly returns a profit.
Assisted by experts from the Ruhrlandmuseum in Essen, the museum staff beavered away behind closed doors for four weeks. And the result is more than impressive. A new lighting system underscores the museum character of the 600 square metre exhibition area, additional display cases house even more unique exhibits, and the video technology and redesigned audio room satisfy the very latest requirements. Also, every exhibit has now been filed and catalogued. A decision with foresight, says museum manager Stephan Ehrenteit: "It will allow future generations to work with the resources for the next 50 to 100 years."
The foundation for the future is well worth a look, as some 90,000 visitors a year will gladly testify. Four full-time employees and 35 casual staff regularly take fans not only round the museum, but also round the VELTINS Arena and back to historic landmarks in the Gelsenkirchen district of Schalke. And Schalke's younger supporters are documenting their love for their footballing heroes, too. The Knappenkids Club has grown quickly and now has some 2,500 members, all of whom benefit from exclusive offers such as tips and tricks from Olaf Thon.
So if you'd like to take a close-up look at the gleaming UEFA Cup trophy, some rudimentary 1920s football boots, Pope John Paul II's honorary membership certificate and Klaus Fischer's leading goalscorer's award (soon to be joined by the illustrious pin), you should climb the stairs leading to the Schalke museum and immerse yourself in history – Tuesdays to Fridays from 10 am to 7 pm, Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 5 am and on matchdays from two hours before kick-off.
