Exhibitions
The Pianoforte Age. Music and Modernity Before the Modern Piano
May 5th to September 13th, 2026
Instrumental studies have long been a key focus of the Institute of Musicology at the University of Tübingen. In addition to its own collection of wind instruments, which is on permanent display in the foyer of the Pfleghof, the institute uses historical keyboard instruments as teaching aids. Anders Musken’s project seminar has produced an exhibition that sheds new light on the institute’s harpsichords, table pianos and fortepianos, alongside instruments from Anders Musken’s private collection.
What remains. Evamarie Sander's life, family and research
July 23rd to November 15th, 2026
The exhibition showcases a curated selection from the estate of Evamarie Sander (1928–2023), a plant pathologist and the first female professor at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at the University of Tübingen. The objects on display include furniture, household items, books, photo albums, clothing, jewellery, and art and ethnographic pieces from her home in Unterjesingen. The presentation makes Sander's world tangible within the museum while asking what remains of a life when it is told primarily through objects. The contextual section surrounding the core of the exhibition encourages visitors to reflect how they would approach their own estate by posing reflective questions.
Dirty Science – Höhlensedimente als Archive der Vergangenheit
April 17th to November 29th, 2026
The ‘dirt’ in the caves tells a story: the ‘Dirty Science’ exhibition demonstrates how sediments can act as archives of the past. Microscopic traces, pollen and ancient DNA reveal who used the Swabian Alb caves and how the environment and climate have changed over time. Interactive displays offer insights into research and excavation, revealing what has remained hidden for millennia.
The Tears of Trees
March 8th, 2026 to February 28th, 2027
A wide variety of plants all over the world produce resins, gums and latex to protect themselves from injury or defend against predators and pathogens. The areas of application for these valuable plant substances are just as diverse: they can be used as adhesives or sealants, in surface treatment or varnishing, in oil painting, as incense (such as frankincense and myrrh), as flavouring in retsina, or as fragrance in perfumes or medicines.
The exhibition „The Tears of Trees. Resins, gums and their stories" showcases the diversity of resins, gums, and milky juices, exploring their origins and their presence in modern-day life. A scent memory game allows visitors to experience the aromas of the resins and their use in perfumes.
Anatomy Unbound
April 17th, 2023 to December 31st, 2027 (extended)
This exhibition was developed in three research projects by students of history and medicine under the direction of PD Dr. Henning Tümmers and Leonie Braam, M.A. (Institute for Ethics and History of Medicine) and Prof. Dr. Benigna Schönhagen and Stefan Wannenwetsch, M.A. (Grave Field X Project at the Institute for Historical Geography and Ancillary Historical Sciences). The interdisciplinary project is being developed in cooperation with Prof. Dr. Bernhard Hirt (Institute for Clinical Anatomy and Cell Analysis) and Prof. Dr. Ernst Seidl (Museum of the University of Tübingen MUT).
Te Pou o Hinematioro
Celebrating Māori Heritage, Culture and Connection
Online Exhibition
On March 29, Hinematioro’s pou (carved panel) was formally reurned to the Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti community. Students of Social and Cultural Anthropology and the Master profile “Museum & Collections” (MuSa) of the Museum of the University of Tübingen (MUT) preserved the special exhibition in an extended online version, with fascinating pictures of the exhibition and gain insights into the traditions of the Māori community Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti.
Who the f*ck is Eberhard Karl?
Online Exhibition
This exhibition is dedicated to the ongoing debate about the name of the University of Tübingen. Developed as part of a practical seminar at the university, in collaboration with the MUT and the Institute for Regional History and Historical Auxiliary Sciences, the exhibition explores the historical background and contemporary perspectives on the issue, focusing on the university's namesakes, Count Eberhard im Bart and Duke Carl Eugen of Württemberg.
![[Translate to Englisch:] Schwarz-weiß-Portrait von Elisabeth Krämer-Bannow mit dem Schriftzug "Koloniale Schatten"](/fileadmin/_processed_/7/5/csm_Postkarte_erweitert_16zu9_bf21d988ef.webp "[Translate to Englisch:] Foto: Privatsammlung")
Colonial Shadows
The Palauan Legacy of Elisabeth Krämer-Bannow in Tübingen
Online Exhibition
Elisabeth Krämer-Bannow, who was part of the expedition as self-taught illustrator, photographer and ethnologist, used her access to the women of Palau to document their daily lives and culture from a rare perspective. While male explorers often lacked access to this world, she was able to provide intimate insights that often went unobserved in ethnological research at the time. Her watercolours and photographs, on display in the exhibition, offer a vivid picture of Palauan life and a critical reflection on the colonial view of the period.
Ancient Cultures
Worldwide unique treasures such as the earliest artworks and music instruments are guarded by the MUT at Hohentübingen Castle.
Castle Laboratory Tübingen
The new, interactive exhibition is located directly at the worldwide oldest biochemistry workplace – in the former castle kitchen.
WorldCultures
The exhibition of the Ethnological Collection creates a fascinating trip through the areas of the South Seas and the Amazon lowlands.
Great Wine Barrel
During the winter months, visitors can view the ‘Great Barrel’ in the Tübingen Castle Cellar. Built in 1549, it is considered to be the oldest surviving giant wine barrel in the world.
Musical Instrument Collection
The exhibition “Klangkörper” showcases the developments of building wind instruments from the late eighteenth to the early twentieth century..
Bohnenberger Observatory
Since 1752, astronomers have been active at Hohentübingen Castle. The observatory, constructed by Johann G. F. Bohnenberger in 1814, lies at the cartographical centre point of the later kingdom of Württemberg and houses houses the "Reichenbach's repetition circle".
Evolution
Here you will find plateosaur skeletons, the skeletons of cave bears and the world's most important collection of stocky therapeutic dinosaurs from the southern hemisphere.
Mathematical Model Collection
The permanent exhibition offers insights into the world of mathematics. It is aimed at specialist scientists, as well as people without math expertise.
Psychological Collection
The permanent exhibition of the Psychological Collection shows instruments, equipment and objects of study from the last 100 years in connection with everyday questions to psychological miracles.
Plant Diversity
On an area of ten hectares there are almost 10,000 plant species from all over the world, whose natural living conditions are modelled in the field and in the greenhouses.
Zoological Collection
The display collection in the Sigwartstraße presents many vertebrates and insect groups from Central Europe, as well as exotic animals from Africa, Asia, Australia and America.
Graphic Collection
Since 1897, the Graphic Collection at the Art Historic Institute functions as teaching and art collection for the practice orientated education of students and is also available to the art interested public.
Crystals
The Mineral Collection presents important minerals, ores as well as gemstones from all over the world, and explains their significance for the understanding of the system Earth and for our life.
Dental Collection
The permanent exhibition Dental | Things presents over 400 objects from the dental teaching collection: Countless highlights and curiosities provide fascinating insights into the history of the development of dentistry.
Due to building works, the collection is currently closed to the public.