The father of modern genetics: A day with Johann Gregor Mendel in Brno
Gregor Johann Mendel is undeniably one of the most inspiring personalities of the 19th century. This famous biologist, mathematician, meteorologist and, last but not least, Augustinian friar is commonly considered Austrian, but actually, it was not very easy to identify nationalities in the era of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Mendel was born in a Silesian town called Hynčice to German parents, and spent the majority of his lifetime in Brno. Both Hynčice and Brno are located in today’s Czech Republic!
The Mendel Museum of Masaryk University in Brno preserves Mendel’s legacy right beside the Augustinian St. Thomas' Abbey where he served as an abbot. Mendel also conducted his most impressive research and work at the abbey, including the cultivation of a famous garden where he worked with seven types of pea plants in the name of genetic research. Additionally, the Moravian Museum takes care of other places in Brno with connections to Mendel.
Join us for a day filled with Mendel’s discoveries and iconic Moravian hospitality. We will start the excursion off with a unique historic train ride from Prague to Brno, followed by a warm welcome greeting and two guided tours around the museum. Your tour choices will be: the Augustinian Library, the Mendel Museum, the Greenhouse and Apiary or the Basilica. A lunch reception and afternoon coffee break will be held in one of the museum’s historical refectories, and as icing on the cake, a walking tour in Mendel's footsteps, in cooperation with the Moravian Museum, is planned for the late evening.
Recommended for members of: UMAC, NATHIST
Museums Visited
The Mendel Museum of Masaryk University in Brno
https://mendelmuseum.muni.cz/en
The Moravian Museum
http://www.mzm.cz/en/
Itinerary
7:12
Departure of the Museum Retro Train from Prague to Brno
11:00
Arrival to Brno Main Station
12:00
Welcome greeting at the Mendel Museum of Masaryk University in Brno
12:30
First round of tours
13:30
Reception lunch (Cistercian’s refectory)
14:45
Second round of tours
16:00
Coffee break (Cistercian’s refectory)
16:45
Walking tour in Mendel's footsteps (Moravian Museum)
18:30
Free time
19:27
Train departs to Prague
Please be at the railway station at least 15 minutes prior to departure.
