From science and technology to Easter eggs and everyday life in the former GDR – Germany's museums have it all. The exhibitions are fun, unique and simply not to be found anywhere else in the world in quite the same way.
In northern Germany, find out how a tornado starts, why soap bubbles shimmer in such a colorful way and why every human being is unique. In the Universum Science Center in Bremen museum which resembles a giant whale surfacing the ocean, science fans can experience hands-on features such as a submarine for deep sea exploration and a special earthquake room. www.universum-bremen.de
On Lake Constance in southern Germany, a life-size reconstruction of the airship LZ 129 Hindenburg can be explored in the Zeppelin museum at Friedrichshafen. The museum houses the world’s largest collection on the history of the airships. www.zeppelin-museum.de
In Berlin, everyday culture of the former GDR can be found in the city's new interactive GDR museum: Visitors can drive a Trabi, watch original films produced in the old East or smell some authentic East German aromas in pre-fab kitchens. www.ddr-museum.de
Leipzig too brings the historical experience back to life at the Stasi (secret police) Museum 'Round Corner'. The former Leipzig Stasi headquarter building hosts a documentation about the “power and banality” of the former GDR secret police. The building was one of the focal points during the Monday Demonstrations which lead the way to the peaceful revolution preceding German reunification. www.runde-ecke-leipzig.de
One hour south, the German Pharmacy Museum in the Heidelberg Castle contains unique pharmaceutical collections dating back four centuries. www.deutsches-apotheken-museum.de
In the west, just outside of Essen, the German Wallpaper Museum has a collection of historical wall coverings including gold skin wallpapers, flock and oilcloth wallpapers, end-leaf and binding papers, Chinese wallpapers and Tapa wall hangings. Highlights from the history of wall coverings and valuable objects from every continent dating back over the centuries are on display. www.tapeten-institut.de (German only)
On the Romantic Road, the history of traditional family Christmas celebrations is told in the German Christmas Museum in Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Decorations from different eras, more than 100 Santa Clauses and an unparalleled collection of nutcrackers bring the magic of Christmas to life all through the year. www.weihnachtsmuseum.de
German food, beer and wine are in a class by themselves. Gourmets will be surprised by the large variety of food museums reflecting Germany's culinary diversion and specialties.
The German Bread Culture with more than 300 different types of bread, from light wheat bread to grainy black pumpernickel is presented in the Bread Culture Museum in Ulm. www.brotmuseum-ulm.de
In the center of Germany in the state of Rhineland Palatine, 'All about potato' is the motto of a special Museum in Fussgoenheim. Visitors can not only learn about the history and regional dishes, but also about the different species including their names: Linda, Selma and Sieglinde are ideal for salads and Irmgard and Maritta are highly recommended for dumplings. www.deutsches-kartoffelmuseum.de (German only)
For those who are interested in the story of German beer, the Beer – and Oktoberfestmuseum in Munich or the Brewery Museum in Dortmund are the places to go. Beer lovers can learn about the history and the production of beer, the purity law, and the unique quality of German beer. www.muenchen.de and www.city.dortmund.de
And what would Germany be without sausage such as Berlin's famous Currywurst? The story of the sausage which is served in thin slices, garnished with ketchup and dusted with a thin layer of curry powder will be the focus in the new Currywurst Museum in Berlin which opening its doors for the first time this summer. www.currywurstmuseum.de
And that's not all – Germany is also host to a Chocolate Museum in Cologne, a Spice Museum in Hamburg, a Salt Museum in Lüneburg, a Sugar Museum in Berlin, a Peppermint Museum in Eichenau, a Horseradish Museum in Nuremberg, a Dumpling Museum in Weimar, and much more. To find more information about this specific museums go to www.cometogermany.com
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