Wieland-Museum Biberach an der Riss

Nestled in the picturesque town of Biberach an der Riss in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, the Wieland-Museum Biberach an der Riss is a charming tribute to the life and works of the renowned poet and writer Christoph Martin Wieland. This delightful museum, known locally as the Wieland-Museum, offers a fascinating glimpse into the literary legacy and personal history of one of Germany's most celebrated literary figures.

The History of the Wieland-Museum Biberach an der Riss

The Wieland-Museum Biberach an der Riss has a storied history that dates back to the early 20th century. The first memorial to Wieland was established in 1905 by the Biberach Art and Antiquity Association under the leadership of Reinhold Schelle. In 1907, the museum was officially opened in the Wieland-Garden House, a charming building that Wieland himself had rented from 1766 to 1769 while serving as a chancery administrator. This house holds special significance as it was here that Wieland penned some of his most notable works, including the fairy tale Idris and Zenide and significant portions of his developmental novel The History of Agathon.

For many years, the museum was managed by dedicated volunteers until it was transferred to the ownership of the city of Biberach in 1972. The museum was then divided into three distinct sections: the Wieland Archive, the Wieland-Garden House, and the Wieland Exhibition Room. In 2009, the Wieland-Museum received a new permanent exhibition in the Wieland-Garden House, further enhancing its appeal to visitors and scholars alike.

The Wieland Archive

The Wieland Archive is a treasure trove for literary enthusiasts and researchers. Housing over 15,500 books, magazines, and special prints, as well as more than 1,000 manuscripts, the archive offers a comprehensive collection of Wieland's works and related literature. Among the manuscripts are over 350 letters handwritten by Wieland himself, providing a unique insight into his personal and professional life.

The archive also boasts an extensive collection of images and objects, including the famous Wieland portrait by Georg Oswald May from 1779. The primary focus of the collection is Wieland's works in all printed editions, manuscripts from his contemporaries, and literature from the 18th century. Additionally, the archive has reconstructed Wieland's private library and maintains special collections related to Sophie von La Roche, Justin Heinrich Knecht, and the history of 18th-century theater. The Wieland Archive also co-publishes the book series Wieland Studies, which serves as a key publication for Wieland research.

The Wieland-Garden House

The Wieland-Garden House, located at Saudengasse 10/1, is a highlight of the museum. The permanent exhibition Gardens in Wieland's World explores the significance of garden art in Wieland's life and work. The exhibition takes visitors on a journey from the rural parish garden in Oberholzheim, Wieland's birthplace, to the country estate in Ossmannstedt, which Wieland acquired as his retirement home.

Along the way, visitors are reminded of Schloss Warthausen, where Wieland mingled with the court circle of Count Anton Heinrich Friedrich von Stadion and the company of Sophie von La Roche during his years in Biberach. The exhibition also touches on the city of Weimar, the castles and park landscapes of Tiefurt and Belvedere, and the poetic art landscapes of the Irrhain of the Pegnesian Flower Order near Nuremberg and the Sanspareil Park near Bayreuth.

The garden house, along with its adjacent building, now borders the Biberach Citizens' Park, which opened in 1999. Although the ensemble has lost much of its original character due to renovations, it still offers a charming glimpse into Wieland's world.

The Wieland Exhibition Room

The Wieland Exhibition Room was previously housed in the Fruchtschranne behind the town hall. This space showcased the world of Biberach theater and literary life in the second half of the 18th century. Among the exhibits was the theater table of the Biberach Civic Comedians' Society, painted in oil on wood by Johann Martin Klauflügel in 1749. The exhibition also highlighted the political situation in the former imperial city, with a particular focus on the unique governance system of parity between both confessions, which provided inspiration for Wieland's novel The History of the Abderites.

Numerous memorabilia displayed the long-standing veneration of Wieland in his hometown. A multimedia presentation explained Wieland's life and work through video clips and images. In 2009, with the redesign of the permanent exhibition in the Wieland-Garden House, the Wieland Exhibition Room was dissolved in its previous form. Today, the life and work of the poet are presented in a new exhibition room on the ground floor of the garden house.

Wieland Sites in Biberach

Biberach is home to several sites associated with Wieland's life. The former inn Zum Schwarzen Bären (Market Square 2) is the ancestral home of the Wieland family. Wieland's parents' house (Waaghausstraße 3) and his school (Old Latin School, Zwingergasse 5) have also been preserved. The former comedy house in the Schlachtmetzig (Viehmarktstraße 8), which served as Biberach's theater hall from 1686 to 1858, is particularly notable. In September 1761, Wieland directed and translated the first German performance of Shakespeare's The Tempest here.

Wieland's office as a chancery administrator, along with his official residence, was located near the Old Town Hall (Hindenburgstraße 3). In Wieland Park (Theaterstraße in front of the town hall), a monument was erected in 1881 to honor the poet. The Wieland Linden tree is traditionally considered the place where Wieland became engaged to his cousin Sophie Gutermann, who later became the writer Sophie von La Roche. A scenic hiking trail, often used by Wieland, leads to nearby Warthausen, whose castle museum preserves numerous mementos of Wieland and the literary circle around Count Friedrich von Stadion.

In conclusion, the Wieland-Museum Biberach an der Riss is not just a museum; it is a celebration of Christoph Martin Wieland's life and legacy. This delightful institution offers a captivating journey through the poet's world, making it a must-visit destination for literature enthusiasts and casual tourists alike. Whether you are exploring the extensive archive, wandering through the picturesque garden house, or discovering the various Wieland sites in Biberach, you are sure to be enchanted by the rich history and cultural heritage that this museum has to offer.