On the road with Humboldt in Hamburg

21 June 2019

Photo: «Rhexia speciosa», in: Alexander von Humboldt, Monographie des Melastomacées, Paris: Libraire grecque-latine-allemande [1806–] 1823, Band 2, Tafel 4. (S. 17)

The South American flower splendor already fascinated Alexander von Humboldt about 200 years ago.

Alexander von Humboldt traveled and explored the world. He is considered the founder of plant geography and a pioneer of ecology - and viewed nature as a complex, interconnected system. He climbed high mountains and crossed jungle forests. But what did such expeditions look like in his day? How did the Prussian-born explorer with diplomatic skills geographically survey the rest of the world? And what references to Humboldt and another great explorer of the time, namely Darwin, can we still find today in the large scientific plant collection of the Herbarium Hamburgense?

In Hamburg, Humboldt was declared dead in 1804 - mistakenly, as it soon turned out. At various locations in the Hanseatic city, you can follow the trail of the famous natural scientist on exciting guided tours with scientists. And thus retrace his work, life and travels.

• Alexander von Humboldt - a Prussian misses South America
  Dr. Carsten Schirarend introduces Humboldt stations in the
  Botanical Garden and in the Loki Schmidt House.
  August 21, 5 p.m. + September 15, 10 a.m.
  Meeting point: Entrance Botanical Garden, Ohnhorststraße
  
  
• Everything carved in stone? How Humboldt explained nature
  Time travel with geoscientist Dr. Isabell Dencker:
  How did Humboldt travel and research?
  June 27 + September 26, both at 6 p.m.
  Meeting place: Zoological Museum, Bundesstr. 52
  
  
• Flowers and fruits
  Dr. Matthias Schultz gives a guided tour of the plant collection
  of the Herbarium Hamburgense and draws connections with
  to Humboldt and Darwin.
  July 2, 4:00 p.m.
  Meeting point: Foyer IPM, Ohnhorststr. 18

+++ No registration required - free admission +++

The special exhibition "Humboldt lives!" with the support of the Herbarium Hamburgense runs until the end of September. 

For more information on the special exhibition "Humboldt Lives!", please visit here.