2famrtf at 12:23, 21 March 2026

2026-03-21T12:23:14Z

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{{short description|Heritage museum in Kerala}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2022}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2022}}
{{Infobox museum
| name = Hermann Gundert Museum
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| image = Hermann Gundert bungalow.jpg
| imagesize =
| caption = Hermann Gundert Museum
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| coordinates = {{coord|11.7678|75.4807|type:landmark_region:IN|display=inline,title}}
| established = 7 May 2022
| dissolved =
| location = [[Thalassery]], [[Kerala]]
| type =
| collection =
| visitors =
| director =
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| owner = [[Government of Kerala]]
| curator =
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}}

'''Gundert Museum''' is a heritage museum located at [[Thalassery]], Kerala.<ref>{{Cite web |last=team |first=Now Age Storytelling |date=2020-05-14 |title="Books for readers!" The purpose of the Gundert Museum and Study Centre in Thalassery |url=https://www.nowagestorytelling.co/post/books-are-for-readers-building-the-community-based-gundert-museum-and-study-centre-in-thalassery |access-date=2022-10-26 |website=nowagestorytelling |language=en}}</ref> It was originally the residence of [[Hermann Gundert]], a German missionary who is remembered for his contributions to the [[Malayalam language]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nazeer |first=Mohamed |date=2018-09-19 |title=Gundert Bungalow to be museum |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/gundert-bungalow-to-be-museum/article24988924.ece |access-date=2022-10-26 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> It was known as Gundert Bungalow before turning into a museum and was constructed in the 1800s.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gundert Bungalow {{!}} Dr Hermann Gundert {{!}} Cultural Circuit {{!}} Thalassery Heritage Project {{!}} Kannur, Kerala |url=https://www.keralatourism.org/thalassery/tourist-circuits/culture/gundert-bungalow |access-date=2022-10-26 |website=Thalassery Heritage Project |language=en}}</ref> In 2022, it was converted into a museum by the [[Government of Kerala|Kerala Government]] as a tribute to Gundert.<ref>{{Cite news |author=Staff Reporter |date=2022-05-08 |title=Gundert Museum opened in Thalassery |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/gundert-museum-opened-in-thalassery/article65394261.ece |access-date=2022-10-26 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> It was from this bungalow that Gundert published the first language dictionary in Malayalam <ref>{{Cite book |last=Gundert |first=Hermann |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0K8FAAAAQAAJ |title=A Malayalam and English Dictionary |date=1872 |publisher=C. Stolz |language=ml}}</ref> and the first Malayalam daily [[Rajyasamacharam]] and [[Paschimodayam|Paschimdodayam]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Gajrani |first=S. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zh6z0nuIjAgC&dq=gundert+bungalow&pg=PA120 |title=History, Religion and Culture of India |date=2004 |publisher=Gyan Publishing House |isbn=978-81-8205-061-7 |language=en}}</ref> The museum houses the Hermann Hesse Library, a collection of rare books, the Julie Gundert Hall, the Gundert Statue and the Digital Book Archive.<ref>{{Cite web |title=മലയാളികള്‍ക്ക് നിഘണ്ടു 'സമ്മാനിച്ച' ഗുണ്ടര്‍ട്ടിനായി തലശ്ശേരിയില്‍ മ്യൂസിയം തുറന്നു |url=https://malayalam.samayam.com/travel/weekend-getaways/thalassery-gundert-story-telling-museum-opens-to-tourists/articleshow/91431858.cms |access-date=2022-10-26 |website=Samayam Malayalam |language=ml}}</ref>

==Overview==
Gundert Bungalow was the residence of Hermann Gundert, who lived in [[Thalassery]] for 20 years. A German missionary, scholar and linguist, he came to Thalassery in 1839 and continued to live and work there with his wife Julie for 20 years . Ill health forced him to return to Germany in 1859.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Menon |first=A. Sreedhara |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wnAjqjhc1VcC&dq=gundert+bungalow&pg=PA192 |title=Kerala History and its Makers |date=2011-03-04 |publisher=D C Books |isbn=978-81-264-3782-5 |language=en}}</ref>

Gundert Bungalow is a heritage building. Its construction is in orthodox Kerala architectural style. It has tiled roof and large verandahs which run along all four sides. It has wooden doors and windows. The craftsmen have used [[laterite]] stones and red clay roof tiles. Kuyyali River flows close to Gundert Bungalow.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ta6AD7MNFioC&dq=gundert+bungalow&pg=PA194 |title=Tourist Guide to South India |date=2003 |publisher=Sura Books |isbn=978-81-7478-175-8 |language=en}}</ref>

In the museum, Gundert's life story is told through descriptions. It was renovated into a museum at a cost of Rs 2.21 crore and was opened to public on 7 May 2022. The renovation work was completed under the Thalassery Heritage Tourism Project.<ref>{{Cite web |title=മ്യൂസിയം ഒരുങ്ങി; അറിയാം ഗുണ്ടർട്ടിനെ |url=https://malayalam.samayam.com/local-news/kannur/video-report-on-herman-gundert-museum-in-kannur/videoshow/91383169.cms |access-date=2022-11-03 |website=Samayam Malayalam |language=ml}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Tourism in Kerala}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Museums in Kerala]]

Gundert Museum - Revision history

2famrtf at 12:23, 21 March 2026