Gerhart-Hauptmann-Haus Hiddensee

About the museum

Gerhart Hauptmann got to know Hiddensee in 1885; the island remained a place of retreat and inspiration for him throughout all phases of his career. In 1929, the 1912 Nobel Prize laureate in literature bought the house "Seedorn" in Kloster, a summer house from the early 1920s. Soon afterward he had the architect Arnulf Schelcher build an extension with a study and dining room as well as a wine cellar, connected to the older part by a cloister walk. Until 1943 he spent the summers here with his wife Margarete; after his death in 1946 he was buried on the island.

The house opened as a memorial in 1956. The rooms are largely preserved in their original state: the study with Hauptmann's summer library and works of art by August Gaul and Ludwig von Hofmann, among others, the cloister walk where the poet dictated while walking, and the bedroom with notes he wrote on the walls at night. The original Nobel Prize is also on display.

Since 1994, the Gerhart Hauptmann Stiftung, founded on the initiative of Hauptmann's daughter-in-law Annalise, has safeguarded the ensemble. In 2012 a literature pavilion was added, housing the ticket desk, a bookshop and an exhibition on literary modernism on Hiddensee – with a focus on guests such as the Mann and Freud families. For the endangered listed building, a restoration in keeping with its monument status has been prepared, which is expected to begin in late autumn 2026.

Highlights

• Summer house preserved in its original state with study and cloister walk
• Hauptmann's nighttime notes on the bedroom wall
• Original Nobel Prize in Literature of 1912
• Exhibition on literary modernism on Hiddensee
• Bookshop and refreshment bar in the literature pavilion

Permanent exhibitions

• Das historische Sommerhaus – The study and living rooms, cloister walk, wine cellar and bedroom are preserved in their original state. The art collection, summer library and the original Nobel Prize convey Hauptmann's everyday life on the island.
• Ausstellung Gerhart Hauptmann – The exhibition traces the playwright's path from his success on the Berlin stage to the Nobel Prize and sheds light on his long connection to Hiddensee.
• Literarische Moderne auf Hiddensee – In the literature pavilion, books, pictures and films tell of writers and artist families such as the Manns and Freuds, who spent their summer holidays on the island.

Founded

1956

Operated by

Gerhart Hauptmann Stiftung

Director

Franziska Ploetz

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

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

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Children's event from June to October on Wednesdays at 13:30; bookshop with children's books.

Getting there & parking

Private car traffic is not permitted on Hiddensee. Timetable information from the Reederei Hiddensee at tel. 038300 210.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

In the literature pavilion, a bookshop with Hauptmann's favorite Baden wines; coffee and wine bar with a terrace and rocking chairs.

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit