Waldmuseum Stendenitz

About the museum

The Waldmuseum Stendenitz was founded in 1936 by forester Hans Zander, who collected curiosities from nature in his district of Rottstiel. When the collection grew too large, a reed-roofed log cabin was built near the Waldschänke with the support of sponsors. It opened with the exhibition "Dein Wald". It is considered one of the oldest forest museums of its kind in Germany.

After Zander was transferred in 1944, the original collection was lost. After the war the building was used for other purposes at first, but in 1957 it was reconstructed and reopened with a new exhibition. In 1996 a further redesign followed by the Historischer Verein der Grafschaft Ruppin (historical society of the County of Ruppin).

In 2010/2011 the museum was reoriented in content: Zander's forest cabinet and the experience room Naturspuren ("nature traces") were created, along with a pavilion with a reed roof. Today the museum is looked after by the Forstamt Ostprignitz-Ruppin of the state forestry agency Landesbetrieb Forst Brandenburg. In 2026 a collection of wild bird eggs was added, which a resident of Neuruppin had gathered over 75 years.

Highlights

• Zander's forest cabinet styled as a forester's office
• Naturspuren experience room with radio play and close encounters with animals
• Forest experience trail with a task at every station
• Location on the Zermützelsee in the Ruppiner Schweiz
• Egg collection of native wild birds

Permanent exhibitions

• Zanders Waldkabinett – Modeled on a forester's office, with details from the life of the museum's founder Hans Zander: forester's secretary, listening corner and safe to discover.
• Erlebnisraum Naturspuren – Takes visitors through the habitats of the Ruppiner Schweiz and invites them to look for traces; a radio play recreates a night hike.

Founded

1936

Operated by

Landesbetrieb Forst Brandenburg – Forstamt Ostprignitz-Ruppin

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

According to the museum, admission costs "a smile per person", so there is no monetary amount.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Hands-on stations

In the forest cabinet you can rummage through the forester's secretary, listen at the listening corner and crack the safe. In the Naturspuren room there is a radio play and tracking. The forest experience trail sets a task at each station.

Getting there & parking

By car from Neuruppin or Flecken Zechlin on the L 16 to the Stendenitz junction, then follow the signs to the Waldmuseum. By bike through the forest from Neuruppin via Alt Ruppin and the Neumühle lock. By ship from Neuruppin via Stendenitz to Boltenmühle.

Amenities & dining

The Waldschenke Stendenitz is located right nearby.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit