Gartenzwergmuseum

About the museum

The museum belongs to the Zwergstatt Gräfenroda, the successor to the clay goods factory founded in 1874 by Philipp Griebel. Gräfenroda, on the northern edge of the Thuringian Forest, developed in the late 19th century into one of Europe's centers of ceramic figure production; the garden gnome originated here, and Griebel was among the modelers involved in its development.

After the world wars only a few manufacturers survived. In the GDR the family business was expropriated in 1972 and incorporated into the state-owned enterprise (VEB) "Gräfenroda-Keramik". After reunification Reinhard Griebel continued the manufactory from 1990 and in the late 1990s set up the Gartenzwergmuseum to preserve the history of the Thuringian clay goods industry.

Since January 2021 the Zwergstatt has belonged to Helma Ortmann and Heidrun Viehweg, who have rebuilt the glass manufactory and added a factory outlet, a café and pottery courses. The museum shows more than 400 exhibits in eight rooms: animal and fairy-tale figures, classic gnomes, a clay workshop around 1900, the production steps of a terracotta figure, the GDR period and even a link to the railway. It is to be redesigned but remains accessible in its current form until then.

Highlights

• More than 400 exhibits in eight rooms
• The only remaining traditional garden gnome manufactory, with a glass workshop
• Clay workshop around 1900 and production of a terracotta figure
• Garden gnomes, animal and fairy-tale figures from over 140 years
• Garden gnomes in the GDR

Permanent exhibition

• Gartenzwergmuseum – Eight rooms on the history of the Zwergstatt, the clay goods industry in Gräfenroda and the Gräfenroda garden gnome.

Operated by

Zwergstatt Gräfenroda UG

Admission & discounts

Prices apply to the museum and manufactory together; holders of the Thüringer Wald Card receive a reduction.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• 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

According to the museum's own information, it is not accessible.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Kids’ birthday parties

Pottery courses and workshops in which visitors can paint gnomes themselves (for a fee).

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Café & Bistro "Philipp" and outdoor seating in the courtyard; factory outlet with garden gnomes and ceramic figures.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties

Celebrations, birthdays, class reunions and private events by prior arrangement, including outside opening hours.

Plan your visit