Hesse-Cabinet
In the footsteps of a young Herman Hesse
The Tübingen Hesse-Cabinet invites you on an expedition following the footsteps of a young Herman Hesse. The cabinet is housed in the Heckenhauer antiquarian bookshop located on the Tübingen Holzmarkt. Over 100 years ago, Hesse spent his time here as an apprentice bookseller. Today, the location is home to an exhibition on the literary roots of the world renowned poet and Nobel prize winner.
What makes this location unique is that the rooms have remained almost unchanged since Hesse was here, allowing visitors to directly experience the atmosphere of the time. The special attractions include an over 150 year old book storeroom and a spiral staircase from the same period.
The youth of the poet of the youth
Herman Hesse spent four important years of his life in Tübingen. In 1895, when he was 18 years old, he began an apprenticeship as a bookseller in the "Heckenhauer" bookshop. Here, in the book and university town of Tübingen, he was able to find inner peace after a crisis filled childhood, and dedicate himself to literature. Here he was able to sucessfully publish his first poetry collections, and lay the foundation for his later worldwide fame as an author.
Opening Hours
- Fridays and Saturdays from 12 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Sundays from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- Entrance free
The Hesse-Cabinet is currently closed due to Covid-19.
Guided tours
- Sundays from 4 p.m. to 4.30 p.m., fee 1.50 Euro
- Group tours available upon request, starting at 40 Euro
Address and contact
Hesse-Cabinet Tübingen
Holzmarkt 5
72070 Tübingen
Telephone +49 (0) 7071 204-1711
E-Mail stadtmuseum
tuebingen.de