Since we live in an interconnected world now, I’m including events happening outside of the U.S., and also because St. Hildegard is herself a worldwide historical figure.
From her homeland, the German Historical Museum’s exhibition of “Nature and German History. Faith – Biology – Power.” runs through October 18, 2026 in Berlin.
The exhibition spans 800 years of nature across German history and starts with Hildegard. Each station is represented by a plant or animal. When you see the dove (representing the Holy Spirit), that’s where you’ll find Hildegard.
The tactile floor leads you to Hildegard, and text about her concept that ““Nature” was Creation – the universe, all living things, the rocks and rivers.” You can even test the effects of plant fragrances that Hildegard wrote about.
Visitors pass through the centuries via five rooms with different stations: the Middle Ages, the Early Modern period, Industrialization, National Socialism, and divided Germany. These detail how the concept of nature has evolved and the political role that played throughout German history.
They have designed the large “barrier-free” space to be easily accessible. The texts are available in German, English, plain language, German sign language, Braille, and large print.
Julia Voss, curator of the exhibition says that, “Concepts of ‘nature’ have repeatedly taken on new and different forms throughout history: in paintings, globes, maps, books, models, photographs, and films…We hope that the exhibition will inspire visitors to ask themselves what nature means to them.”
“The word “Nature” is derived from Latin and up until the 14th century was seldom used in Middle High German.” The curator hopes to expand upon the semantic meaning of “Nature” by showing how it has changed over the course of German history.
Visitors can ponder, “Who defines what is considered nature? Who can influence it? And what happens to nature when unforeseen events occur that lead to political actions?”
These are questions that every place might explore so it is worthwhile to visit and discover any answers they have found. And to learn the impact of St. Hildegard in German history.
To visit:
The German Historical Museum’s exhibition of “Nature and German History. Faith – Biology – Power.” runs through October 18, 2026:
Deutsches Historisches Museum (German Historical Museum):
Unter den Linden 2
10117 Berlin
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