Zotter Schoko-Laden-Theater
Chocolate museum in the Zotter factory: cocoa cinema, a view into bean-to-bar production and tasting tour, plus the Essbarer Tiergarten (edible zoo).
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About the museum
The Schoko-Laden-Theater opened in 2007 together with the new factory of the Zotter chocolate manufacturer in Bergl near Riegersburg. Founder Josef Zotter, a trained confectioner from Graz, makes hand-crafted chocolate exclusively in organic and fair-trade quality, and makes every bar himself from the cocoa bean to the finished product (bean-to-bar).
The building shows this entire production chain in ongoing operation. Visitors look through the glass architecture into the factory, learn where the cocoa comes from in the cocoa cinema, and sample their way through over 40 stations with around 300 tastings. An audio guide explains the tour, which starts at fixed times; afterwards guests can take as much time as they like.
Adjoining the theater is the Essbarer Tiergarten, an organic farm with rare livestock breeds, vegetable and fruit gardens, playgrounds and the ÖKO Speck Takel meat-inspection business. In an "Ideenfriedhof" (idea cemetery), chocolate varieties that are no longer produced are symbolically laid to rest. The company continues to run the experience world as a family business; daughter Julia Zotter has since taken over management.
Highlights
- Cocoa cinema with the "Safari zum Kakao" at the start of the tour
- Tasting at over 40 stations with around 300 samples
- View through glass walls into bean-to-bar production
- Edible zoo with rare animal breeds and adventure playgrounds
- Audio guide in eight languages
Permanent exhibitions
- Schoko-Genuss-Tour – Tour with the cocoa cinema and tasting through the glass bean-to-bar factory, showing how chocolate is made from the bean to the bar.
- Essbarer Tiergarten – Organic experience farm with rare livestock breeds, regional fruit and vegetable varieties, playgrounds and the ÖKO Speck Takel meat-inspection business.
- Founded
- 2007
- Operated by
- Zotter Schokolade GmbH
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €23.90 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €19.90Young people aged 11 to 17 |
| Children & teens | €7.90free up to age 3 · Children aged 4–5 €7.90, children aged 6–10 €14.90 |
| Seniors | –No senior discount listed. |
| Groups (20+ people) | €22.90 per personPrice per person for groups of 20 or more (adults); young people from 9th school grade €17.90, from 5th school grade €16.40, children aged 6–10 €13.90, aged 4–5 €7.40. Every 21st person and the bus driver ride free. |
| Online ticket adults (1–19 people) | €22.90Online €1 cheaper than on site; young people €18.90, children aged 6–10 €13.90, children aged 4–5 €6.90 |
| Essbarer Tiergarten only, adults | €8.90Young people €6.50, children aged 6–10 €4.50, children aged 4–5 €1.90; without tasting, subject to availability at the main ticket desk |
The day ticket (Schoko-Genuss-Tour) includes free admission to the Essbarer Tiergarten and is valid all day. Children up to age 3 free. Special tours with additional services (aperitif, tapas, your own chocolate creation) are available for an extra charge.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The Schoko-Laden-Theater is not step-free because of its many flights of stairs. For wheelchair users, a wheelchair tour can be booked after reservation (at least one working day in advance), including the cocoa cinema, a station in the foyer, a special tasting and a virtual tour. Assistance dogs with an entry in the Behindertenpass (disability pass) are permitted. Accessibility statement on the website.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 3.5 hrs |
|---|---|
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 3 |
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
- Stroller-friendly: not available
- Playground / play area
- Kids’ birthday parties
Children up to age 3 free. Themed children's birthday parties (herb witches, treasure hunt, ÖkoLogisch) in the Essbarer Tiergarten, optionally with a chocolate tour (March to October). Giant slide, adventure playground, water wheels and petting zoo. Strollers may not be taken into the Schoko-Laden-Theater because of the stairs; storage space is available in the foyer, and a baby carrier is recommended.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Altenmarkt b. Riegersburg Zotter
Train to Feldbach, then RegioBus (line 406) to the "Altenmarkt b. Riegersburg Zotter" stop directly in front of the factory. Buses run irregularly, about 8 times daily Monday to Friday, and up to 5 times on Saturdays from April to October. Alternatively, a Ruf-Taxi (on-demand taxi) from Feldbach.
By car
Parking available
Visitor parking at the experience world, accessible only during opening hours (barriers); overnight parking not allowed; four e-charging spaces (Type 2).
From the north via the A2, exit Ilz, then B65/B66 to Riegersburg; after the village limit about 3 km to Bergl; from Feldbach about 6 km on the B66. Navigation coordinates N 46°59'30" E 15°54'28". Bicycle path along the B66; e-bike charging stations in front of the shop.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Restaurant
- Museum shop
- Coat check
Bio Café with delicatessen (Mon–Sat 09:00–19:00), Bio Hofgrill (Mon–Sat 10:00–16:30), ÖKO Speck Takel with a vending café; Schoko-Laden shop. E-charging stations for cars and e-bikes.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Audio guide | yes (DE, EN, IT, HR, ES, SL, CS, HU) |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Allow about 90 minutes for the Schoko-Laden-Theater plus about 2 hours for the Essbarer Tiergarten. Self-guided tour with an audio guide on your smartphone, maximum 50 people per tour; start at the reserved time and be in the cocoa cinema at the latest by then. Dogs are not allowed in the theater and shop (free dog kennels in the "Hunzdorf"); on a leash they are welcome in the Essbarer Tiergarten. Sturdy footwear recommended for the grounds. |
