Alte Gerberei Ohrdruf
Technical monument in Ohrdruf: the preserved workshop of the town's last bark tanner shows on guided tours how animal hide becomes leather.
About the museum
For centuries, leather making was an important trade in Ohrdruf. In the 16th century more than twenty tanneries operated in Löbersgasse and along the banks of the Ohra, using the river water for their craft. When leather production was industrialized in the 20th century, the small bark and vegetable tanneries could no longer compete and closed one after another.
The business that held out longest was that of master tanner Manfred John at Löberstraße 2, on the opposite bank of the Ohra across from Schloss Ehrenstein. Because the workshop survived almost completely intact, with its pits, tools and machines, the building was listed as a technical monument.
In 2006 a friends' association was founded that repaired the old tannery building and set up a small technical museum inside. On guided tours, volunteers use the still-working equipment to show how a raw animal hide is turned into sturdy leather in many steps – from dehairing in the lime pit and tanning with tanning agents to finishing. The building is open only on selected Sundays in summer and on Heritage Day (Tag des offenen Denkmals).
Highlights
- Almost completely preserved workshop of Manfred John, Ohrdruf's last master tanner
- Working equipment and machines for leather making
- Demonstration of each step from raw hide to leather
- Location on the Ohra across from Schloss Ehrenstein
- Operated by
- Förderverein „Technisches Denkmal Alte Gerberei“ Ohrdruf e. V.
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €2 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €1Children and teens aged 6 to 17 |
| Children & teens | €1Children and teens aged 6 to 17 pay €1; no information on younger children. |
| Groups | –Flat rate: groups of up to 9 people €5, 10 or more people €10. |
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Getting there & parking
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Amenities & dining
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Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Visits take place as guided tours during which the tanning steps are demonstrated. A visit combines well with neighboring Schloss Ehrenstein. |
