The University’s anniversary program

Central highlights

The main events will shine a light on key aspects of this anniversary year - from the grand opening to the science festival and the anniversary ceremony. Together, they bring to life the value of knowledge for the University and society.

Science & Innovation Days 2026

Motto: The Value of Knowledge
06.-07.11.2026
Diverse Locations

Anniversary festival

Open day, music stage at the Technisches Rathaus, and much more.
03.-04.07.2027
In Uni buildings and in the town

Anniversary ceremony

University of Tübingen 550th anniversary
03.07.2027 | 11:00 am
Tübingen Collegiate Church (Stiftskirche)

Exhibitions

Exhibitions in museums, University collections etc., open up fresh perspectives on research, University history, and the people who helped build them.

Professors’ gallery

Restoration and artistic contextualization of historical Professors’ portraits
Opening: 01.07.2027 | 6:00 pm
University of Tübingen Museum

20 years of Museum of the University of Tübingen MUT

A diverse program featuring open collections, guided tours, a symposium, a reception, and opening ceremonies at various locations
23.10.2026 | 12:00-21:00 Uhr
Hohentübingen Castle, Audimax Neue Aula, University Pavilion, Wilhelmstraße Cafeteria

Exhibition:  Fabric, Status, Style

Exhibition as part of the CRC 1391 “Different Aesthetics”
Opening: Thu, 10.12.2026 | 6:00 pm
Schlosskirche | University Museum in Hohentübingen Castle | Burgsteige 11

Exhibition:  "Behind the Walls of the Museum - Missing Connections, Reimagined Collections“

Ethnological exhibition
Opening during the Tübingen Science & Innovation Days : 06.11.2026 | 6:00 pm
Duration: 06.11.2026 - 28.02.2027
Museum WorldCultures in the Pentagonal Tower| Hohentübingen Castle| Burgsteige 11

Exhibition: Bacteriopolis

Organizer: CMFI Excellence Cluster
30.10.–09.11.2026

„The Colours of the Cosmos”

The Restored Splendour of the Temple at Esna
SPECIAL EXHIBITION
October 30th, 2026, to January 31st, 2027
Opening: 29.10.2026 | 7pm
Museum Ancient Cultures| Hohentübingen Castle

Digital exhibition on the University’s name

Exhibition on the men who gave their names to the University and the debates surrounding them, with participation by history students
Permanent exhibition
Online

New design: Anniversary medallions showcase

Faculty of Humanities exhibition
2027
Stefan Krmnicek, Kl. Archäologie/Numismatik

Art Exhibition „Closer“

Exhibition by the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Tübingen in cooperation with the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space and the Staatlichen Akademie der Bildenden Künste Stuttgart
3 June - 27 June 2027
Kulturhalle Tübingen (Faculty of Medicine)

„My University– My Object”

A collection of personal objects belonging to prominent alumni
Opening: 15.04.2027 | 7.00 pm
Dates: 15.04. -07.11.2027
Cabinet room, Hohentübingen Castle | Burgsteige 11

Publications

Books, magazines, and other publications explore themes related to the anniversary and invite readers to rediscover the University's past and present.

Frauen an der Universität Tübingen (Women at the University of Tübingen)

Book release by Tjark Wegner
22.10.2026, 6:00 pm, Pfleghofsaal - joint event by the Center for Gender and Diversity Research, the University’s Team Equity, the University of Tübingen Museum and Tjark Wegner

„550 Jahre Tübingen. Zwischen Existenz- und Exzellenzfragen” (550 years of Tübingen. From existence to excellence)

Book release: Tjark Wegner
Faculty of Humanities
Institute of Library Science for Historians

Die Architektur der Universität Tübingen (University of Tübingen architecture)

Book release: University of Tübingen Museum

Anniversary publication: 550 Jahre Juristische Fakultät

Ceremony for launch of anniversary publication
30.04.2027
Prof. Dr. Stephan Dusil,
Prof. Dr. Martin Gebauer
Faculty of Law

Orte der Universität Tübingen (University of Tübingen places)

Book release: Tjark Wegner

Meetings

Academic conferences bring together researchers from various disciplines and promote the exchange of ideas on historical, current, and future issues.

81st General Meeting of Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas

Faculty of Protestant Theology conference
27.–31.07.2027
Prof. Dr. Christof Landmesser

Conference on Hermann Weller's work in Indology and Classical Philology

Faculty of Humanities
Dr. Wolfgang Polleichtner, Prof. Dr. Heike Oberlin

„Das Experiment im Chemieunterricht – bewährt und neu gedacht“

43rd Training and Lecture Conference of the GDCh Section on Chemistry Education
08.09.-10.09.2027
Lecture Hall Center Morgenstelle, Auf der Morgenstelle 16

(Con)tested Knowledge: Production, Formation, and Deconstruction

Faculties of Protestant and Catholic Theology conference
01.–05.04.2027
Liebermeisterstraße 12

Symposium Platform on Environmental Systems

Faculty of Science, Environmental and Sustainability Research
Herman Rügner

Wissenschaft in Bewegung. Stadt, Raum und Universität vom Mittelalter bis zur Gegenwart (Academia in motion: city, space, and the University from the Middle Ages to the present)

Faculty of the Humanities, Institute of Library Science for Historians, with the Gesellschaft für Universitäts- und Wissenschaftsgeschichte
Prof. Dr. Sigrid Hirbodian, Dr. Tjark Wegner

What do our children need at daycare and school? Perspectives from research, policy, and practice

Conference, Education and Developmental Psychology
26.09. - 30.09.2027, Alte Aula
Faculty of Science, Caterina Gawrilow, Claudia Friedrich

Lecture series

Lectures and panel discussions offer insights into current research and provide an opportunity to talk with researchers.

Wertvolles Wissen?! Zur Vielfalt des Wissens für Nachhaltige Entwicklung

Lecture in German as part of the Studium Generale program
Tuesdays from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in Lecture Hall 21 of the Kupferbau
The Competence Center for Sustainable Development (KNE) and the International Center for Ethics in the Sciences and Humanities (IZEW)

Zwischen Tradition und Transformation. Drei Universitäten von ihren Anfängen bis in die Gegenwart im Vergleich

gemeinsame Vortragsreihe der JGU, der Universtität Tübingen und der Universität Marburg
02.11.2026 - 15.02.2027 jeweils um 18:15 Uhr online
Termine in Tübingen: 16.11.2026 & 01.02.2027
Kupferbau, HS 22 + online

History of the Faculty of Protestant Theology in the Nazi period

Faculty of Protestant Theology lecture series
12.04.-24.07.2027 (Tuesdays)
Theologicum lecture hall

Mental Health Days 2026

Kick-off event: From Failure to Success –
An Evening About Setbacks, New Perspectives, and the Courage to Keep Going
Kick-off event: 23.11.2026 | 5.30 - 8.00 pm
Duration: 23.11. - 02.12.2026
Beletage of the Museumsgesellschaft Tübingen| Wilhelmstraße 3

Seminars

Seminars, lectures, and other educational events explore the anniversary from various academic perspectives and bring together research, teaching, and history.

Vom Wert der Wissenschaft im Alten Orient (The Value of Knowledge in the Ancient Near East)

Institute for Ancient Near Eastern Studies lecture series
21.10.26-03.02.27, 10:15h (Wednesdays)
Hohentübingen Castle, clock tower entrance, R. 136

Seminar: Politisches Engagement von unten (Political activism from below)

Student political initiatives in the 20th C
Ludwig-Uhland-Institut

Nächtlicher Unfug, Pestexile und Hochzeiten. Eine etwas andere Geschichte der Universität Tübingen (Nighttime nonsense, plague exile, and weddings: A different take on University history)

Faculty of Humanities
Institute of Library Science for Historians
Tjark Wegner

Multimedia projects

Digital formats, film and media projects open up new ways to engage with academic knowledge and University history - interactively, creatively, and for a broad audience.

Anniversary-App

MUT-App has new functions
University of Tübingen Museum

App: LUI Then and Now

to explore the Nazi past of the former Institut für Volkskunde
Christoph Bareither, Karin Bürkert

Dance project homage to Maria von Linden

A scenic symphony dedicated to the first woman to study at the University
planned for 16.07.–19.07.2027
University Musical Director
Philipp Amelung et al.

Filmprojekt: Licht und Schatten (Film project Light and Shadow)

Documentary on the history of the University of Tübingen
Prof. Dr. Susanne Marschall, Sanny Schulte

Geocache: Environment, climate change and carbon cycles

Experience science playfully
Opening in summer semester 2027
Markus Maisch,TERRA excellence cluster

Tübingen professors database

approx. 22,000 entries
Dr. Regina Keyler, Faculty of Humanities

Instagram project Friedrich List

Friedrich List und die wirtschaftliche Entwicklung Deutschlands: der Tübinger Beitrag zum heutigen Wohlstand. (Friedrich List and Germany's Economic Development: Tübingen's Contribution to Today's Prosperity.)
Jörg Baten und Ralph Lütticke

Botanical Lights

Light installation and guided tours; music, food and beverages
25.09.-04.10.2026
University of Tübingen Botanical Gardens

Film project: 550 Jahre Medizin in Tübingen

From the founding of the first hospital in 1805 to the latest medical advances

Tours & excursions

Guided tours and excursions offer insights into the University’s historic sites, collections, laboratories, and research facilities, both on campus and beyond.

Parcour: Biodiversity to go

Pop up stands at 5-10 locations in Tübingen, for children and for adults
Didactics of Biology, Christoph Randler

Guided tour on the history of the Botanical Gardens

Tübingen old town
Janne Reinecker
University of Tübingen Botanical Gardens

Open Surgery Days

at the Institute of Clinical Anatomy (Elfriede-Aulhorn-Straße 8) and at the TIME Institut (Elfriede-Aulhorn-Str. 10)
Saturday and Sunday, 17- 18 April, 2027
Faculty of Medicine