Gellert-Museum Hainichen
Literature museum on Christian Fürchtegott Gellert in Hainichen's Parkschlösschen, with the special collection "Kunst zur Fabel" and programmes from age 4.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum is dedicated to the poet and moral philosopher Christian Fürchtegott Gellert (1715–1769), born in Hainichen. A mayor had the first memorabilia collected as early as 1893; from 1905 a town museum in the town hall showed Gellert souvenirs, and in 1926 a large collection with first editions and portraits was added. In 1935 the collection moved, as a local history museum, into a house on the market square.
At the instigation of the literary scholar Karl Wolfgang Becker, the Karl-Marx-Stadt district assembly decided in 1979 to set up an independent Gellert Museum, which opened in the Parkschlösschen in June 1985. The neoclassical villa with a crenellated tower was built in 1851/52 in the middle of an English landscape park, passed into municipal ownership in 1899 and served as a residence until 1984; from 2001 to 2004 it was comprehensively renovated.
The exhibition combines the historic library, a Gellert collection with portraits, autographs, busts and medals, and the "Kunst zur Fabel" (Art on the Fable) section. Its foundation was laid in 1984 by an appeal to artists to create fable graphics for the new museum; today the collection includes works by around 70 artists. Since 2005 the permanent exhibition has given an overview of the history of the fable, complemented by special exhibitions and museum education programmes. The operator is the town of Hainichen.
Highlights
- Gellert collection with portraits, autographs, busts and medals
- Historic library with around 600 titles
- Special collection "Kunst zur Fabel" with graphics by around 70 artists
- Parkschlösschen from 1851/52 in Hainichen's town park
- Children's programme "Gellerts Wundertüte"
Permanent exhibitions
- Christian Fürchtegott Gellert – Leben und Werk – Portraits, autographs, busts, monument depictions and medals relating to the poet, as well as the museum's historic library.
- Kunst zur Fabel – Overview of the history of the fable, complemented by graphic works from the museum's own fable collection.
- Founded
- 1985
- Operated by
- Stadt Hainichen
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €2.50 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €1.50Children and young people from 5 years up to the completed 16th year, pupils up to 21 years, students, trainees and volunteer service participants up to 27 years, people with severe disabilities, recipients of benefits under SGB II/XII, asylum seekers |
| Children & teens | €1.50free up to age 4 · Children under 5 free. |
| Seniors | –No senior discount specified. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €1.50companion free |
| Students & apprentices | €1.50Up to the completed 27th year. |
| Groups (20+ people) | €1.50 per personPer person from 20 participants (max. 30); one accompanying person free for every 10 children or young people or part thereof. |
| Families | €6.50Two adults with up to three children under 16; family ticket for one adult €4. |
| Annual pass | €10Reduced €6; valid for 12 months. |
| Tour/supervision up to 2 hours | €20Per group; up to 4 hours €30. |
Prices according to the usage and fee statute of the town of Hainichen (valid since 2018). Special events such as concerts and readings cost extra.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & familiesRecommended for ages 4+
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 4 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | €6.50 · Two adults with up to three children under 16; family ticket for one adult €4. |
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
With "Gellerts Wundertüte" (Gellert's Surprise Bag), children explore the exhibition creatively and with puzzles; projects and programmes are aimed at visitors from age 4.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Weddings / ceremonies
The rooms can be used for weddings for a usage fee; events by third parties by individual arrangement with the town.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Tours and museum education programmes for various age groups by registration; also city tours. |
