Imhoff Schokoladenmuseum: The Only Chocolate Museum of the World
The Imhoff Schokoladenmuseum or the Chocolate Museum is the first of its kind at the same time the only one in the entire world. The museum is located in the city of Cologne, Germany. On the 31st of October 1993, the Imhoff Schokoladenmuseum was inaugurated. The glass and meatal structure of the building have been fused together in such a manner that it resembles a ship. It is also credited to be the first new building which was constructed in the Rheinauhafen development area in the city. The entire initiative was the high point of urban creativity that the city ever witnessed.
Imhoff Schokoladenmuseum occupies a total floor area of 4000-metre square. Additionally, it contains items that are historic and modern day developments within the field of chocolate and cocoa. Furthermore, the collection on display here does not alone deal with the said thematic concerns or attractive displays and exhibits, as a matter of fact here at the Chocolate Museum one can also find some very intricate objects and artefacts pertaining to chocolates and the associated paraphernalia encompassing research and developments of various kind.
By the time the 20th anniversary of the museum came up in the year 2013 an estimated 10 million people had visited the museum from all over the world. Ever since the year 2012, the footfall has increased to the highest degree. On an average 2300 people visited this important touristy and cultural centre on a daily basis. The museum cordially welcomes all those who desire to explore the various secrets of the world of chocolates.
The sheer success of the Chocolate Museum has been tremendous, so much so that today the museum is able to self-support itself. Its earnings have been steadily growing and as a result, it does not have to depend on upon the government for funding. Within the world of the museum, it is a matter of rarity that such an institution was able to churn out and pay up all the funds that were invested in it at the time of the museum’s construction.
Touring the Imhoff Schokoladenmuseum
The tour of the Imhoff Schokoladenmuseum commences with one visiting the brand new exhibition rooms. These exhibitions lay emphasis on the cultivation and harvesting of cocoa, how various countries engage in the production of cocoa, details pertaining to a trade of cocoa along with clinical and anatomical effects of chocolate on the human body and soul.
Another such visiting room is the Tropical house which has an impressive 10-metre high roof and houses a simulation of a tropical rain forest. Visitors of all age groups particularly find this room fascinating. It sure kindles the curious minds about nature’s way of production.
There are various machines which explain as to how the popular chocolate bars, intriguing hollow figures or how the pralines are produced in the chocolate making factories. These machines are of course scaled down versions of the original production plant. Here on a daily basis 400, kg’s of museums trademark chocolates are produced and all of them is laid out as samples for the visitors. Another feature of the museum is its chocolate fountain. This artefact is 3 metres tall through which chocolates flow out in a rather satisfying manner.
Furthermore, there is a ‘treasures chamber’ within the museum which is known to present the visitors with the historical milieu of pre-Colombian Central America. This particular area was home to some of the most ancient communities such as the Olmecs, Mayas and Aztecs. Within these cultures Cocoa held an important position, it was in-fact considered to be the drink of the gods.
Within the museum, one can also find some very exclusive table services that include you receiving servings on beautiful china and silver for drinking chocolates. This tradition dates back to the 17th and 18th century and resembles features of aristocratic lifestyles during the same period in Europe. The museum also contains some very old accounts of advertisements and commercials which starkly posit the zeitgeist of the day and age. Some of the older visitors tend to feel nostalgic when they view such imageries of their contemporary times. Additionally, there are special vending machines which particularly attract children.
On the third level, one can find artefacts that are solely dedicated to the Cult of chocolate. In the display centre, one can find items such as that of Lindt Gold Bunny, Mars, Ritter Sport, the Surprise Egg, the Mozartkugel, Sarotti, the Halloren Kugel, Milka and Nutella among others from all over the world.
The Event Museum
The reason why everybody loves the museum is that here you can not only see and eat chocolate(s) but also quite literally feel them through all of your senses. Moreover, the characteristic feature of the museum is underlined by the very aspect of the events. They are meant to sensually excite the visitor mainly through the feature of the heightened visual appeal. All the aspects of these exhibits are further enhanced because of the darkened exhibition rooms. The arrangement of this room is such that the various objects on display are enveloped in spot lights or elements that are meant to augment the curious visitor.
Prices of Admission
- Adults: 8.50 Euros
- Groups of 15 or more: 8.00 Euros
- Concessionary price: 6.00 Euros
- Groups of 15 or more: 5.50 Euros
» Opening Hours
- Tuesday to Friday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Saturday, Sunday. and other public holidays: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Please note that the time of the last admission is 1 hour before the closing time.
- Closed on Mondays (December is the only month in which the museum is open on all Mondays).
- It is also closed on the Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.
- Eve and New Year’s Day, as well as from “Weiberfastnacht”
- (Carnival Thursday) to Ash Wednesday.
» Contact Information
Schokoladenmuseum Köln GmbH
Am Schokoladenmuseum 1a, 50678 Köln
Tel.: 0221 / 931 888-0, Fax: 0221/ 931 888-14
www.schokoladenmuseum.de
What are the other things to do nearby?
The Old Town of Cologne is located at a distance which can be covered in just 8 minutes flat and offers not only a large historical journey but also a wide range of other attractions. Among them are included different kinds of shopping areas and micro shops settings, trying out the ginormous varieties of foods and also visiting the bars. The city of Cologne is located close to the river Rhine and thus its influence on the lifestyle of the city is quite relaxing. It becomes a natural holiday destination.
Among the other popular sites and features on can also visit or participate in the following events and sites:
- Kölner Karneval or the Cologne Carnival
- Cologne Gay Pride
- Kölner Lichter
- Kölner Seilbahn
- The Zoo
- Phantasialand
- Claudius Therme
- Metropolis Cinema
- Christmas market
- Christmas Markets