1. Deutsches Bratwurstmuseum

About the museum

The 1. Deutsches Bratwurstmuseum (First German Bratwurst Museum) goes back to the association “Freunde der Thüringer Bratwurst” (Friends of the Thuringian Bratwurst), which founded the museum in early 2006. It opened on May 28, 2006, in Holzhausen near Arnstadt, where it provided information on pig breeds, meat and sausage processing, recipes and slaughtering tools. Over a good decade and a half, the small museum attracted several hundred thousand visitors.

Because the small site had reached its limits, the association decided on a new building in Mühlhausen. A plot initially considered was abandoned after protests over its proximity to a former concentration camp subcamp; construction finally took place on a site of around 3.7 hectares by the city forest in the southwest of the town. After the Holzhausen site closed, an interim exhibition in Mühlhausen's town center bridged the construction period, which was extended by waterlogged ground and the pandemic.

The new museum on Bratwurstallee opened on August 16, 2023. The exhibition tells the cultural history of the Thuringian bratwurst; its most prominent item is the oldest known mention, from 1404, in a monastery account from Arnstadt. Around the exhibition, the grounds offer theater performances, a hands-on bratwurst kitchen, conference rooms, the Trabant exhibition “Trabiparadies” and a freely accessible outdoor area with a playground, petting enclosure and mini golf.

Highlights

• Oldest documented mention of the Thuringian bratwurst (1404, Arnstadt)
• Hands-on workshop “Erlebnis Bratwurstküche”
• Bratwurst theater with a new play every year
• Trabant exhibition “Trabiparadies”
• Free outdoor area with playground, petting enclosure and mini golf

Permanent exhibitions

• Kulturgeschichte der Thüringer Bratwurst – The main exhibition covers the origins, production, spices and records of the Thuringian bratwurst – right back to its oldest mention in 1404.
• Trabiparadies – Show about the East German Trabant compact car with collector's items and curiosities; separate admission or combination ticket.

Founded

2006

Operated by

Bratwurstmuseum Betriebs-GmbH (Verein Freunde der Thüringer Bratwurst e. V.)

Admission & discounts

The outdoor grounds and playground are free to access. Tickets on site; bookings by phone or email (buchung@bratwurstmuseum.de).

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The website provides no information on accessibility; wheelchair users get free admission.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Playground / play area
• Kids’ birthday parties

Designed as an adventure park for the whole family: large playground, play bus, giant bouncy pillow, mini golf and an animal enclosure with a petting area; children's birthday packages and children's activities on festival days.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Amenities & dining

• Café

Museum café with homemade cake; bratwurst tastings, including as part of the group programs; merchandise in the online shop wurstfan.de. Dogs welcome.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 300 guests.

Conference and party rooms Wurstshaus, Dursthaus and the large Bratwursthalle, with conference packages and catering; partner hotels can be arranged.

Plan your visit