Melanchthonhaus Bretten

Current exhibitions

About the museum

Philipp Melanchthon, humanist, reformer, and Martin Luther's closest companion, was born in Bretten in 1497. His birthplace on the market square burned down in 1689 during the Nine Years' War (War of the Palatine Succession). At the suggestion of the Berlin church historian Nikolaus Müller, a memorial house was built on the same site: the foundation stone was laid in 1897 for Melanchthon's 400th birthday, and the red sandstone building was dedicated on October 21, 1903.

The first design in the Late Gothic style came from Berlin architect Johannes Vollmer; the house was built by the Karlsruhe architects Hermann Billing and Wilhelm Jung. Remarkably, the facade and furnishings from the time of construction are largely preserved – sculptures, murals, wood paneling, bookcases, and bullseye glass windows form a unified Historicist Gesamtkunstwerk (total work of art).

On the first floor is the fresco-painted Memorial Hall, now also used for lectures, concerts, and exhibitions. Upstairs, the Cities, Theologians, Humanists, and Princes Rooms tell of Melanchthon's network, his companions, and the rulers who supported the Reformation; there are also the coats of arms of 121 cities with which he had connections.

The house also holds a specialized library on Reformation history with around 11,000 volumes, based on Nikolaus Müller's estate. Since 2004, it has been home to the European Melanchthon Academy, which researches Melanchthon's influence and organizes conferences and educational programs.

Highlights

• Largely original furnishings from 1903 forming a Historicist total work of art
• Fresco-decorated Memorial Hall on the first floor
• Cities, Theologians, Humanists, and Princes Rooms on the upper floor
• Coats of arms of 121 cities from Melanchthon's circle
• Reformation history library with around 11,000 volumes

Permanent exhibitions

• Melanchthon und die Reformation – The Memorial Hall and four themed rooms on the upper floor trace Melanchthon's life, his network of scholars, and the patrons of the Reformation.

Founded

1903

Director

Prof. Dr. Christian Neddens

Admission & discounts

Free admission with the Museums-PASS-Musées (not valid for guided tours).

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

No accessibility information on the official website.

Kids & families

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

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop on site.

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit