When can the exhibition be seen?

The exhibition can be seen from September 4, 2026 to April 11, 2027 at the Hessian State Museum Kassel.

What are the regular opening hours?

The Hessian State Museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, as well as on public holidays, from 10 AM to 5 PM. Every second Friday of the month, visiting hours extend until 7 PM.

How much is the admission fee?

Regular admission for adults is 8 euros, while reduced admission is 5 euros. Children and adolescents up to 18 years, students, and pupils of the University of Kassel have free admission.

Are there workshops and participation offers?

Yes, workshops and research stations invite visitors to try their hand at microscopy. The offers connect scientific research with cultural education and are aimed at families and school classes, among others.

Is the Hessian State Museum accessible for people with disabilities?

The museum is wheelchair accessible and has an elevator, barrier-free toilets, and designated parking spaces for people with severe disabilities.

Where is the exhibition located?

The exhibition is located at the Hessian State Museum at Brüder-Grimm-Platz 5 in 34117 Kassel.

Zoom in Kassel: Historical Microscopes Open Fascinating Worlds for Curious Eyes

Name: Zoom: Insights into the World of Microscopy
Start: 2026-09-26T10:00:00+02:00
End: 2027-04-11T17:00:00+02:00
Location: Hessisches Landesmuseum

Zoom: When Historical Microscopes Make Hidden Worlds Visible

The cabinet exhibition Zoom: Insights into the World of Microscopy at the Hessian State Museum Kassel leads into a fascinating border area between the history of science, collection culture, and aesthetic experience. From September 4, 2026 to April 11, 2027, Hessen Kassel Heritage presents one of the world's most significant collections of historical microscopes and offers a glimpse into things hidden from the human eye.

The Invention of the Second Look

Since their invention in the 17th century, microscopy has changed humanity's relationship with the world. Cell structures, platelets, and sperm became visible, expanding scientific thinking by dimensions previously outside human perception. The exhibition traces this development through historical instruments, making scientific knowledge an experience of cultural upheaval.

Historical Instruments as Testimonies of Their Era

The focus is on selected microscopes from the collections of the Astronomical-Physical Cabinet of Hessen Kassel Heritage. Landgrave Carl of Hesse-Kassel plays a special role, personally interested in the latest optical devices and collecting microscopes of various designs and price ranges. The exhibits thus not only tell the history of technology but also about courtly collection culture, scientific curiosity, and the fascination with the invisible.

Between Precision, Material, and Light

In the exhibition's atmosphere, glass, metal, wood, and finely crafted mechanics unfold a silent visual poetry. The contemplation of the works focuses on scientific instruments whose form and function become an expression of their era. Small lenses and precise constructions refer to a time when each magnification opened a new world and seeing became a cultural practice.

Research Stations and Cultural Education

The art experience is not limited to observation. Workshops and research stations invite visitors to become active and try their hand at microscopy. Educational offerings such as Micro Worlds in Color, ZOOM! I See More Than I Thought, and Fact or Fake? What Do I Really See? connect scientific research with cultural education. Families, school classes, and adults experience how observation, interpretation, and knowledge interact.

Conclusion: An Exhibition Visit for Curious Eyes

Zoom at the Hessian State Museum Kassel makes visible how instruments shape our perception and thinking. Visitors can expect a concentrated cabinet exhibition featuring historical technology, depth in the history of science, and practical participation offers. Anyone wishing to combine collection culture, microscopy, and aesthetic experience should visit this exhibition live and dedicate their own discovery to the hidden world under the microscope.