Oberfränkisches Textilmuseum

About the museum

For centuries, Helmbrechts in the Frankenwald was a weavers' town. Around 1900, cloths, scarves and shawls went from here to more than 140 countries – saris to India, ponchos to South America, waist sashes to Afghanistan. The town therefore earned the nickname "Wardrobe of the World."

The museum was founded in 1933 as a municipal museum on the initiative of a local educational association and reopened after the Second World War. In 1992 its focus was turned entirely to textile history. It shows the path from home weaving to industrial production, with a reconstructed hand weaver's parlor including a delivery room and the mechanical home weaving shop of Willi Friedrich, whose looms are used for demonstrations.

On the upper floor, the collection of exported cloths and scarves is on display under the title "Der Kleiderschrank der Welt" (The Wardrobe of the World), complemented by pattern books, embroidery and guild objects. Since 1997, visitors have been weaving the longest handwoven scarf in the world, which entered the Guinness Book of Records after just two years at around 3,300 meters and continues to grow to this day.

A modern extension serves as a stage for the "Kulturwelten" event series as well as for seminars and celebrations. The museum is run by a registered association.

Highlights

• Longest handwoven scarf in the world – visitors are welcome to help weave
• True-to-original hand weaver's parlor with delivery room
• Demonstrations on mechanical looms of the Willi Friedrich home weaving shop
• "Der Kleiderschrank der Welt" (The Wardrobe of the World): export cloths for over 140 countries
• Textile raw materials you can touch

Permanent exhibitions

• Von der Handweberei zur Industrie – The hand weaver's parlor, delivery room and the mechanical home weaving shop of Willi Friedrich show the life and work of weavers in the Frankenwald. Guild objects and textile raw materials round out the tour.
• Der Kleiderschrank der Welt – Extensive collection of cloths and scarves that were shipped from Helmbrechts all over the world, plus pattern books and embroidery.
• Der längste Schal der Welt – The record scarf, woven since 1997, is stored in three massive stacks on the first floor – visitors can add more centimeters at the loom.

Founded

1933

Director

Lena Grießhammer

Admission & discounts

Free admission: On Museum Café Sundays (usually the first Sunday of the month), admission is free.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum is not accessible. For guests with walking difficulties, the museum can be presented on the first floor by film after advance notice, complemented by selected pieces such as a pattern book and cloths. Seating available.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Holiday program "Kreativ mit Textil" (Creative with Textiles), creative courses for young and old, children's birthday parties for children aged 5 and up (about 2.5 hours) and programs for kindergartens from age 3. Raw materials may be touched, and you can weave on the record scarf yourself.

Getting there & parking

Via the A9 (exit Hof-West or Münchberg-Nord). The museum is in the town center, about 150 m south of the town hall.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Museum café with coffee, cake and live music on selected Sundays (12:00–16:00, music from 14:00); no reservations.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 200 guests.

Presentation platform in the extension (Kulturwelten stage) with lighting and video equipment, seating for 130 or 200 standing – for seminars, corporate presentations and anniversaries. Inquiries to info@textilmuseum.de.

Plan your visit