Museum in der Majolika-Manufaktur

About the museum

The Karlsruhe Majolika-Manufaktur was founded in 1901 at the initiative of Grand Duke Friedrich I. After the First World War the state took it over and renamed it "Staatliche Majolika-Manufaktur" (State Majolika Manufactory). Despite economic and political difficulties, it remained the only institution of its kind in Germany until March 2024.

The museum is located in the manufactory in the Hardtwald, not far from the Karlsruher Schloss (Karlsruhe Palace), and belongs to the Badisches Landesmuseum. With around 2,000 objects, the permanent display offers a cross-section of the production history from its beginnings to the present. It spans Historicism and Art Nouveau, Expressionism, Constructivism, Art Deco, the Bauhaus and New Objectivity, up to the Heimatstil and modern currents.

Series products stand alongside unique pieces; fountains and architectural ceramics, a focus of production, are also on view. Culture and everyday history matter here, which is why works from the Nazi period and the Anbietekultur ceramics of the 1950s are shown too. Staged settings such as a 1930s department store display window or a niche of the Frankfurt trade fair around 1960 convey the spirit of each decade.

Highlights

• Around 2,000 ceramics from more than 120 years of Majolika production
• Fountains and architectural ceramics, including decorative columns from the Kiel Town Hall
• Staged settings: a 1930s department store window and a trade fair niche around 1960
• Ceramics from Art Nouveau to Bauhaus and Heimatstil
• Discovery game "Abenteuer Keramik" for children aged 5 and up

Permanent exhibition

• Majolika-Schausammlung – Around 2,000 ceramics show the history of Karlsruhe Majolika from 1901 to today, from Art Nouveau and Art Deco to Heimatstil, plus fountains and architectural ceramics.

Operated by

Badisches Landesmuseum (Land Baden-Württemberg)

Admission & discounts

Free admission with the Museums-PASS-Musées, among others, for members of the Freundeskreis of the Badisches Landesmuseum and for members of ICOM and the Deutscher Museumsbund.

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

The building is not wheelchair-accessible.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

The discovery game "Abenteuer Keramik" invites children aged 5 and up to explore playfully; it is available free of charge at the information desk, with pencils for loan.

Getting there & parking

From the autobahn take the Zentrum exit, then follow the signs to the palace, along the palace park via Willy-Brandt-Allee, and turn into the Ahaweg.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.