document Schnupftabakfabrik

About the museum

The former factory building of the Bernard snuff tobacco factory on Gesandtenstraße in Regensburg is one of the largest complexes of medieval burgher architecture in the city. It began as a patrician house, became the residence and representative building of wealthy merchants, and was later used by envoys of the Perpetual Imperial Diet and by the princes of Thurn und Taxis, before the house was converted into a snuff factory from 1810.

The Bernard brothers produced snuff here for almost 200 years. Before World War II, the factory, with around 350 employees, was the largest of its kind in Germany. Blends such as "Pariser," "Saarbrücker," "Cardinal" or "Offenbacher" were mixed here; from 1870, "Schmalzler" was added under the brand name "Schmalzler Franzl."

After the company moved out, the building was renovated. Three rooms were deliberately left in their original condition, including the "Alchemisten-Küche" (alchemists' kitchen), where the blends were prepared. Light and smell are part of the authentic impression of these rooms. A collection of snuff boxes and snuff jars belonging to the company director Georg Otto Christlieb, entrusted to the Historical Museum, is devoted to the culture of snuff-taking. The document belongs to the Museen der Stadt Regensburg.

Highlights

• Three rooms in original condition, with patina and the characteristic tobacco scent
• "Alchemisten-Küche" of the tobacco blenders
• History of the Bernard company, once Germany's largest snuff tobacco factory
• Christlieb collection of snuff boxes and jars
• Medieval burgher house complex in the Old Town

Permanent exhibition

• document Schnupftabakfabrik – Three factory rooms left in their original state show the production and company history of the Bernard snuff factory, along with a collection of snuff boxes and jars.

Operated by

Museen der Stadt Regensburg

Admission & discounts

Free admission on the first Sunday of the month, which applies at the Museen der Stadt Regensburg, does not apply to this document. Free admission is also available for, among others, members of the friends' association of the Museen der Stadt Regensburg and ICOM members upon presentation of ID.

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

Accessibility is only partially provided; wheelchair users can visit the document only when accompanied.

Kids & families

Children under 6 enter free; family ticket €16 (parents with children under 18).

Getting there & parking

The document is located on Gesandtenstraße in the heart of Regensburg's Old Town; tickets and the start of the tour are at the Tourist Information in the Old Town Hall, Rathausplatz 4.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

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