Private textile museum in a World War II bunker in Hannover-Kirchrode with fabrics, clothing and needlework from around the world and across the ages.
February 28, 2026 – February 28, 2027
The French artist's first show in Germany: installations of bobbin lace reminiscent of coral reefs, and his project using lace to help coral larvae settle.
The museum was founded by Hanover fashion designer Erika Knoop, who over decades had collected fabrics, garments and needlework from many countries on her travels. When the collection grew too large to keep privately, she opened her own museum in Kirchrode in 2007; it has since been run by a nonprofit association and operates largely on a volunteer basis.
The museum is housed in an air-raid bunker on Borchersstraße built during World War II. The massive walls provide a largely constant indoor climate that benefits delicate textiles. On around 400 square meters with four-meter-high walls, the permanent exhibition "Textile Weltreise" ("Textile World Tour") ranges from European embroidery and silk fabrics through Indian saris, Asian silks and kimono rolls to bark cloth from the South Seas, complemented by 20th-century evening wear and technical textiles such as expedition and space suits.
Since 2020 the museum has presented special exhibitions every year, often taking a critical look at fashion, consumption and sustainability, for example on fast fashion, digital fashion or unusual fibers. There are also lectures, workshops and upcycling sessions run by the founder.
| Adults | €10 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €5Young people aged 12 to 17 |
| Children & teens | €5free up to age 11 · Children up to age 11 free; young people aged 12 to 17 €5. |
| Students & apprentices | €8 |
| Groups | –Group tours on request. |
A guided tour is included in the admission price. Workshops such as "Singen und Handarbeiten" (singing and needlework) cost €20 including museum admission.
The museum is not accessible; for visitors with limited mobility, there is an audio and video feed to the first floor.
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | A guided tour is included in admission; group tours on request. Workshops for school classes accompany the special exhibition "Lace is more". |
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