Simplicissimus-Haus
Literary museum in Renchen showing how 20th-century artists illustrated Grimmelshausen's Simplicissimus novels.
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About the museum
The Simplicissimus-Haus in Renchen commemorates Hans Jakob Christoffel von Grimmelshausen, author of the Baroque picaresque novel "Der Abentheuerliche Simplicissimus Teutsch", who served as town mayor (Schultheiß) of Renchen from 1667. Since the 19th century, the town has called itself "Grimmelshausenstadt".
In 1976 the Grimmelshausenfreunde Renchen (Grimmelshausen Friends) were founded. In 1984 the town acquired a farmhouse-style townhouse (Ackerbürgerhaus) built around 1760, next to the town hall. After an architectural competition and careful renovation, it opened on October 2, 1998, as the first consistently reception-history-focused literary museum in Germany. The conversion received architecture awards in 1999. An extension for events and the archive was added in 2015.
Instead of a classic writer's house, the permanent exhibition shows how important 20th-century artists illustrated Grimmelshausen's works – with original prints and drawings by, among others, A. Paul Weber, Max Klinger and Fritz Eichenberg. The main room is devoted to the Simplicissimus novel and the Thirty Years' War; the museum cellar was designed by the artist Jürgen Goertz. The house also accommodates the archive of the Stiftung Grimmelshausenarchiv.
Highlights
- First consistently reception-history-focused literary museum in Germany
- Original prints by A. Paul Weber, Max Klinger and Fritz Eichenberg
- Museum cellar with a fabulous-creature sculpture by Jürgen Goertz
- Audio guide in German, English and French
- Grimmelshausen Archive
Permanent exhibition
- Grimmelshausen im Spiegel der Kunst – Around 250 original prints, drawings and sculptures show how 20th-century artists interpreted Grimmelshausen's works; the route follows the reception from the early editions into the 1950s.
- Founded
- 1998
- Operated by
- Stadt Renchen mit den Grimmelshausenfreunden Renchen e. V.
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €3 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | freeYoung people, pupils and students have free admission. |
| Students & apprentices | freeFree admission. |
| Guided tour (plus admission) | €25by arrangement |
Free admission with the Oberrhein Museum Pass and for holders of ICOM and D.A.CH. cards.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- 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
Thanks to the new extension there is step-free access; in the older building only the first floor is step-free. Accessible toilets are in the new extension and in the Bärenhof parking garage; the restroom facilities in the basement are not wheelchair accessible.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Renchen, Rathaus
Bus line Offenburg–Achern–Baden-Baden; the "Rathaus" stop is directly in front of the house. From Renchen station (Karlsruhe–Basel line), less than 10 minutes' walk.
By car
Paid parking
Bärenhof parking garage, northern entrance by the town hall (paid parking).
The house is in the town center, right next to the town hall, opposite the Zum Bären inn.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes (DE, EN, FR) |
| Good to know | Audio guides are free. Please arrange guided tours in advance. The house also hosts literary and musical events (usually €10 in advance, €12 at the box office in the evening). |
