Literaturhaus Thurgau
Literature house in the former residence of the poet Emanuel von Bodman in Gottlieben, with a memorial room, bookbinding workshop and reading program.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Bodmanhaus on the village square of Gottlieben was the home of the poet Emanuel von Bodman (1874–1946) and his wife Clara from 1920. After Clara’s death, the house stood empty for a long time and fell into disrepair. The Thurgauische Bodman-Stiftung, founded in 1996, restored it to fulfill Clara von Bodman’s legacy and opened it on April 8, 2000. At that time it was only the third literature house in Switzerland, after Basel and Zurich.
The centerpiece is the poet’s study as a memorial: the writing desk, bookcase, sofa and other furniture stand just as Bodman left them and as his wife preserved them. The interior was deliberately not restored to perfection, only cleaned and repaired where necessary. On the ground floor are the museum shop with books, brochures and maps about Bodman and the Handbuchbinderei Merten (bookbindery); exhibitions are shown on the second floor.
The Literaturhaus Thurgau hosts readings, conversations and lectures and runs a guest apartment for writers. Since 2023 the foundation has also awarded a literature fellowship twice a year, with a stay in the house.
Highlights
- Original study of Emanuel von Bodman, preserved as a memorial
- Literaturhaus with readings and conversations on the Seerhein
- Handbuchbinderei Merten with courses in small groups
- Museum shop with books and products from the bindery
- Exhibitions on the second floor
Permanent exhibition
- Gedenkstätte Emanuel von Bodman – The original study of the poet Emanuel von Bodman and his wife Clara, with writing desk, bookcase and furniture in their original places.
- Founded
- 2000
- Operated by
- Thurgauische Bodman-Stiftung
Admission & discounts
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator
- 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
The house has an elevator.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Tägerwilen-Gottlieben
By Thurbo line S1 to Tägerwilen-Gottlieben. By the URh passenger boat (Kreuzlingen–Schaffhausen) to Schifflände Gottlieben, then about 5 minutes on foot.
Amenities & dining
- Museum shop
Museum shop on the ground floor with books, brochures, maps and products from the bookbindery.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | Visits to the house and the Bodman room take place during events, when the bookbindery is open, or by arrangement through the secretariat. Courses in small groups are held in the bookbindery. |
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