The Healing Museum

Art museums are places of emotional healing. Medical studies show that visiting art museums reduces stress and anxiety and improves overall mental health. It can be exhilarating to view works of art and walk through museum spaces because they foster our ability to develop mindfulness.


Mindfulness is the ability to focus attention on the present moment. A skill that can also be developed through silent or active meditation. The practice of mindfulness meditation appears to be particularly effective in reducing the negative dimensions of psychological stress and improving overall quality of life.


The exhibition offers interested parties the opportunity to learn practical mindfulness exercises or to deepen existing skills in this field. A specially designed museum space is available for this purpose, highlighting the intertwined meditation traditions of Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, and Stoicism and tracing their influence on the new mindfulness movement of the 21st century.


A selection of stimulating meditations can be accessed free of charge via the audio guide, mobile phone, or the museum website.


A bench and cushions are available.


"The Healing Museum" complements the "Bode Museum: Refuge" project, which has been running since 2023, with its mission to make mental health visible, support self-care, and increase the relevance of art history for contemporary society through transdisciplinary research.