Deutsches Gewürzmuseum

About the museum

The Deutsches Gewürzmuseum is the youngest of the three specialist museums in the Kulmbacher Mönchshof. It opened in October 2015 and, after about 25 years of development work, completed the ensemble of brewery, bakery, and spice museums on the grounds of the former Mönchshof brewery, which in the Middle Ages served as the farm estate of Langheim Monastery.

On about 1,000 square meters, the exhibition sheds light on the cultural, historical, and botanical sides of spices. The tour follows the trade routes from Asia via the Silk Road and the Mediterranean to medieval Nuremberg and tells of myths, magic, and medicine surrounding herbs and spices.

At its center is the Botanikum, which vividly presents the origin, characteristics, and use of individual spice plants. Interactive smelling and listening stations show the role spices play in crafts, food production, cooking, and medicine. A staged spice bazaar with colors, sounds, and scents sets the mood for the topic. The operator is the Verein Museen im Kulmbacher Mönchshof (association), which offers workshops for children and school classes in the neighboring Museum Education Center.

Highlights

• Botanikum on the origin and use of spice plants
• Interactive smelling and listening stations
• Staged spice bazaar
• Trade routes from the Silk Road to Nuremberg

Permanent exhibitions

• Botanikum – The heart of the museum: the origin, characteristics, and use of individual spice plants.
• Der lange Weg der Gewürze – From the oriental spice bazaar via the Silk Road and the Alpine passes to the trading city of Nuremberg.
• Handwerk, Koch- und Heilkunst – Interactive stations on the significance of spices in crafts, the food industry, cooking, and medicine.

Founded

2015

Operated by

Museen im Kulmbacher Mönchshof e.V.

Director

Dr. Matthias Gebauer (Geschäftsführung Museen)

Admission & discounts

Admission includes a sip of museum beer (non-alcoholic on request) and a piece of spice bread. With the Bavarian Ehrenamtskarte, Ochsenkopfkarte, or Bad Alexandersbad guest card, €1 off; further discounts, e.g., with the Agilis ticket and Schlemmerpass. Prices valid from January 1, 2026.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• 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

Accessible parking spaces on the grounds.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area
• Kids’ birthday parties

Smelling and listening stations to join in. Workshops for children aged 4 to 10 with their own spice blend, themed tours for ages 10 to 17, a family holiday special during Bavarian school holidays, and children's birthday parties. Baby changing room available, playground in the neighboring beer garden.

Getting there & parking

By car, follow the signs for "Klinikum"; in town the Mönchshof is signposted. GPS address: Hofer Straße 20, 95326 Kulmbach.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop

Museum café with specialty coffees, soft drinks, and museum beer; about 30 m away is the Mönchshof Bräuhaus with a large beer garden (closed Mondays and Wednesdays). Museum shop at the ticket desk, where museum beer is also available to take away.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Rooms in the Museum Education Center (MUPÄZ) with a lecture hall, school kitchen, and library can be requested for events and corporate events.

Plan your visit