Anniversary Festival 80 Years Brehms Welt Renthendorf

The Brehm Family Museum in Renthendorf

In the East Thuringian village of Renthendorf, in the Saale-Holzland district, the "Vogelpastor" Christian Ludwig Brehm (1787–1864) and his son, the "Tiervater" Alfred Edmund Brehm (1829–1884), who created one of the most famous animal books in the German language with "Brehms Thierleben," lived and worked. Both are pioneers of modern behavioral research and the idea of viewing animals as thinking, feeling fellow creatures — a revolutionary perspective in the 19th century.

80 Years of the Brehm Memorial Site, Reopened as "Brehms Welt"

As early as 1945 — immediately after the end of the war — a small memorial site was established at the Brehm family home to keep the memory of father and son alive. This developed into today's museum, which reopened in August 2020 as "Brehms Welt — Tiere und Menschen" after eight years of extensive renovation and complete redesign. The new permanent exhibition brings the Brehms' findings into the present day, connecting natural history with modern behavioral research, environmental protection, and species conservation. In 2026, the museum will celebrate the 80th anniversary of its predecessor institution.

Celebration Day with Two Program Phases — and Glass Extension Opening

June 6, 2026, is a celebration day with a two-part program. At 11 AM, an official ceremony with invited guests begins — speeches, recognition of the association's work, and the exhibition creators. From 3 PM, the museum opens to all visitors: free admission, free guided tours of the permanent exhibition, plus food and drinks on site.

Simultaneously, a new glass extension will be inaugurated — an architectural statement that ensures barrier-free access to the museum (the historic building fabric was previously difficult for wheelchair users and families with strollers to access) and creates space for rotating special exhibitions. This will allow the museum to offer multiple parallel themes in the future and take a stance on current issues of nature conservation and behavioral research beyond the permanent exhibition.

Brehm Heritage and Modern Nature Education

The Brehms Welt permanent exhibition shows how the Brehms laid the foundation for behavioral research in the 19th century — long before Konrad Lorenz and Karl von Frisch. The collection includes original specimens, letters, Alfred Brehm's birthplace (now part of the museum), and interactive stations that illuminate the diverse relationship between humans and animals — then and now. The museum caters equally to families, school classes, and ornithological specialists.

Renthendorf in the Saale-Holzland District

Renthendorf is located in the state of Thuringia, in the Saale-Holzland district, southwest of Stadtroda. It is worth a visit even as a day trip from Jena or Gera — between 30 and 45 minutes by car. Combining a visit to the museum with a hiking day in the Saale valley makes for a perfect family day in East Thuringia.