Deutsches Bienenmuseum Weimar

Current exhibitions

About the museum

The museum goes back to beekeeper and bee researcher Ferdinand Gerstung, who, together with August Ludwig, wanted to save outdated beehives and beekeeping equipment from destruction. Founded in 1907 as the Reichs-Bienenzuchtmuseum (Imperial Beekeeping Museum), it opened in 1910 in three rooms of the municipal natural science museum in the Posecksches Haus; in 1922 it was named Deutsches Bienenzuchtmuseum. It closed in 1944 because of the war, after which the collection was initially housed only in makeshift quarters.

In 1956/57 the museum moved into the former “Goldener Schwan” inn in the Oberweimar district on the Ilm, whose gateway bears the year 1677. Serious structural damage forced its closure in 1972. From 1985 the city of Weimar had the property extensively restored, supported by donations and volunteer work by beekeepers from all over the GDR; it reopened in 1994.

In 2002 the museum received a new permanent exhibition. After a closure for financial reasons in 2003, the Landesverband Thüringer Imker e. V. (Thuringian Beekeepers' Association) took over in 2005. With around 1,500 objects, the exhibition spans the biology of the bee, the history of forest beekeeping (Zeidlerei) and beekeeping, and modern bee husbandry. Its showpieces are historic bee dwellings and the collection of figurally carved hives, plus a wax hammer from Siebenlehn. The grounds include a museum courtyard, a bee pasture garden, a demonstration apiary, a farm shop and a café.

Highlights

• Collection of figural hives – carved bee dwellings
• Historic wax hammer from Siebenlehn
• Gerstung bee house from around 1900 and migratory beekeeping wagon in the museum courtyard
• Bee pasture garden on the Ilm
• Demonstration and teaching apiary with honey extraction room
• Farm shop with honey from the museum's apiary in the Ilmpark

Permanent exhibitions

• Biene und Imkerei – Permanent exhibition since 2002 with around 1,500 objects on the biology and ecology of the honeybee, the history of forest beekeeping and beekeeping, and bee husbandry today.

Founded

1907

Operated by

Landesverband Thüringer Imker e. V.

Admission & discounts

Since August 2024 the museum has accepted the weimar card. Events (markets, courses, holiday programs) have their own prices or material costs.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

Separate audio guide tours for children up to 8 and ages 8 and up (free via QR code). Craft afternoons during the school holidays (e.g. candle dipping, painting cloth bags) for the cost of materials; guided tours for children's groups.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Café & Bistro “Bienenstock” on site, with dishes made from regional ingredients and homemade cake. Farm shop with honey, wax and propolis products, mead and beekeeping literature. Markets (bake-oven festival, fall market, Advent market on the second Sunday of Advent).

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 100 guests.

Available for rent: the large hall on the upper floor (up to approx. 100 people), the library room on the first floor (up to approx. 40 people), a small club room (10–15 people), the kitchen and the Ilm meadow with beer tables and benches – for celebrations, talks, corporate events, concerts and exhibitions. Hall and library with projector and screen.

Plan your visit