Circus Museums & Archives – Keeping European Circus History Alive

For more than 250 years, circus has been part of Europe’s cultural heritage. Artists, families and companies have travelled from country to country, taking their skills, traditions and stories with them.

But circus is made to move. Tents disappear, performances change and generations pass. That is why museums, archives and collections are so important: they preserve the posters, photographs, programmes, costumes, films, documents and personal stories that might otherwise be lost.

The European Circus Association (ECA) therefore supports not only the circus of today, but also the museums, archives and collections that keep its remarkable history accessible for tomorrow.

Discover Circus Heritage in Europe

🇮🇹 CEDAC – Verona, Italy
The Centro Educativo di Documentazione delle Arti Circensi (CEDAC) is an important centre for the study and preservation of Italian and international circus heritage. Its collections include books, programmes, posters, photographs, postcards, artwork and thousands of video recordings. Its Archivi di Famiglia project also helps preserve the archives and memories of circus families before this unique material is lost or dispersed.
Explore: https://www.cedacverona.org/

🇫🇷 CNAC / CIRCODATA – France
The Centre National des Arts du Cirque (CNAC) combines circus education, research and documentation. Its CIRCODATA resources bring together publications, photographs, archives, programmes, posters and multimedia relating to circus arts, helping researchers and new generations of circus professionals connect the past with the present.
Explore: https://cnac.fr/

🇳🇱 Circusmuseum / Allard Pierson – Amsterdam, Netherlands
An extraordinary collection of historic circus posters, photographs, programmes, books and other material documenting circus life and performance. The online Circusmuseum makes highlights from the collections accessible to circus enthusiasts and researchers around the world.
Explore: https://circusmuseum.nl/

🇦🇹 Circus- & Clownmuseum Wien – Vienna, Austria
With roots dating back to 1927, the Circus- & Clownmuseum Wien is one of the oldest museums dedicated to circus and clowning. Its extensive collection preserves the heritage of circus, clowning, variety entertainment and magic through historic programs, posters, photographs, costumes, props and many other fascinating objects. More than an archive, it is a living museum: exhibitions, guided tours, research, publications, events and live performances bring the stories behind the collection to life.
Explore: https://www.circus-clownmuseum.at/

🇩🇪 Circus-, Varieté- und Artistenarchiv – Marburg, Germany
Operated by the Kulturhistorische Gesellschaft für Circus und Varietékunst e.V., the Marburg archive documents circus, variety entertainment and generations of performing artists. Its extensive holdings include photographs, documents, posters, programmes, costumes and a specialist library – an invaluable resource for preserving and researching circus history.
Explore: https://www.artistenarchiv-marburg.de/

🇩🇪 First Circus Museum Magdeburg – Magdeburg, Germany
The Erstes Circusmuseum Magdeburg, also known as Abtshof’s Bunte Circuswelt, invites visitors to discover the colourful world of circus, variety entertainment, artistry and clowning. Its collection includes historic posters and programmes, photographs, books, artists’ costumes, props and circus models. A special section is dedicated to Magdeburg’s own rich circus history and its artists.
Explore: https://www.circusmuseum-magdeburg.de/

A Heritage Worth Protecting

Together, these institutions – and many other museums, archives, circus families and private collections across Europe – make sure that the stories of circus artists, families and companies are not forgotten.

They are much more than collections of old posters and photographs. They are the memory of European circus – preserving its past, inspiring its present and keeping its stories alive for future generations.

Circus is made to travel. Its history deserves a home.