Naumann-Museum
Historic bird collection of the ornithologist Johann Friedrich Naumann in the Ferdinand wing of Köthen Castle; currently closed for an extended period.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum goes back to the bird collection of the Naumann family. Johann Friedrich Naumann's (1780–1857) grandfather and father had already gathered stuffed birds. Johann Friedrich systematically expanded the collection, improved taxidermy techniques, and from 1811 displayed the animals in display cases whose arrangement relates them to their habitats. In 1815 the collection was set up as a museum in Ziebigk; his main work is a 13-volume natural history of the birds of Germany.
Since 1835 the ducal bird cabinet has been housed in the Ferdinand wing of Köthen Castle. In 1954 it was attached as an outside branch to the Köthen Heimatmuseum (local history museum), though modernization work harmed its historic character. From 1976 to 1980 came comprehensive restoration and an expansion of the exhibition; from 1988 the house was developed into a research center for the history of ornithology, and the display cases again received mouth-blown glass.
Around 1,300 specimens in 113 original display cases have remained almost unchanged since the early 19th century and have been listed as nationally valuable cultural property since 2015. The collection also includes Naumann's watercolors, his library and correspondence, a historic herbarium, and the skin, skeleton and egg collection of the Tierpark founder Heinrich Dathe. According to the museum, it is expected to remain closed until 2032.
Highlights
- Around 1,300 bird specimens in 113 original display cases
- Watercolors and drawings by Johann Friedrich Naumann
- Historic herbarium of the ducal collections
- Skin, skeleton and egg collection of Heinrich Dathe
- Listed as nationally valuable cultural property
Permanent exhibition
- Naumann-Museum – historische Vogelsammlung – The original display cases with around 1,300 bird specimens and Naumann's estate; currently not open to visitors because of the closure.
- Founded
- 1815
- Operated by
- Köthen Kultur und Marketing GmbH
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €7 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €5 |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Children and young people up to their 18th birthday have free admission. |
| Groups | €5 per personCastle Pass group rate, per person |
Free admission: Free admission to the museums in the castle on the first Friday of every month.
The Castle Pass (Schlosskarte) is valid for all museums in the castle. With the WelterbeCard you get free admission once.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 17 |
|---|
Children and young people up to their 18th birthday have free admission.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Köthen Hauptbahnhof · 15-min walk
Köthen is connected to the regional rail network and several InterCity connections; from the main station it is about a 15-minute walk via Friedrichstraße to the castle.
By car
Paid parking
Paid underground parking garage in Schlossstraße and a paid car park in Lindenstraße, directly by the castle.
The castle is in the city center at Schlossplatz 4. Köthen is reachable via the A9 and A14 (from Berlin about 2 hours, from Leipzig about 1 hour, from Magdeburg about 50 minutes).
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
