Cologne’s Chocolate Museum (Schokoladenmuseum) presents an extensive history of one of the world’s favorite treats, from its South American beginnings to modern production methods of Swiss chocolate manufacturer Lindt & Sprüngli. Learn how the delicious confectionary is made as you follow the process from cacao tree to chocolate bar. Located in the historic Old Town district of Cologne’s Rheinauhafen, the museum’s interesting architecture makes it a landmark building in the revitalized harbor quarter.
Explore nine areas spread across 43,000 square feet (4,000 square meters) of exhibition space in the Chocolate Museum. As you enter, sample a small chocolate bar that was produced on the production line operating in the museum. Watch the chocolate being produced from start to finish on the in-house machines. Discover the history of chocolate, when the Olmecs, Aztecs and Mayans began to produce the “drink of the gods.” Follow the timeline of chocolate through the Baroque age to industrialization and the different styles of gourmet refinement that we know today.
In the Chocolate Cinema watch commercials for chocolate products dating from 1926 to the present. View porcelain from the 17th and 18th centuries and pre-Columbian Mesoamerican bowls that were used for drinking chocolate. See the different molds for setting chocolate and machines that were used to produce the confectionary throughout history.
Stroll through the museum’s tropical greenhouse, which houses a collection of flourishing cacao trees. Don’t miss a visit to the magnificent golden chocolate fountain, which stands almost 10 feet (3 meters) tall. Museum staff will dip a wafer in the liquid chocolate for you to try. Pick up delicious souvenirs at the museum shop. At the Chocolat Grand Café, try tasty varieties of hot chocolate and dessert dishes.
Find the Chocolate Museum in Cologne’s historic Rheinauhafen (harbor quarter). Ride a bus to the stop near the museum otherwise walk for 10 minutes from the nearest subway station. The museum is open daily except Mondays in November. Guided tours are available for groups. Admission price covers the samples. Pay extra to select ingredients to manufacture your own custom chocolate.
