KOLK 17 Figurentheater & Museum

About the museum

The core of the museum is the collection of NDR cameraman Fritz Fey Jr., who from the 1970s gathered theater puppets from all over the world on his travels, continuing the collecting of his father, a marionette player. In 1982, with support from the City of Lübeck, he opened the Theaterfigurenmuseum in historic houses on the Kolk lane at the foot of the Petrikirchhof. Later additions included the estates of the Winter and Schichtl marionette dynasties.

When financial problems threatened its operation, the Possehl-Stiftung foundation took over in 2006 and acquired the collection in 2011. The museum and the neighboring puppet theater, run by the KOBALT ensemble since 2006, merged into a single institution under the shared name KOLK 17.

From late 2017 the listed buildings were extensively renovated to plans by Konermann Siegmund and supplemented by two new buildings; in the process the museum and theater swapped locations. The theater reopened in March 2025, followed in June 2025 by the new exhibition “Figurentheater – Spiel des Lebens” in the houses at Kolk 20/22. With around 20,000 objects, the collection is one of the largest of its kind in Germany; research projects focus on puppets from Mali, China and India, among others.

Highlights

• Around 20,000 puppets, props and stage elements from around the world
• Historic traveling stages and marionettes of the Winter and Schichtl dynasties
• Fairground Punch-style puppets (Kasper) and hand puppets with play stations
• Chinese iron-rod puppets and animal puppet stages from Mali
• In-house puppet theater with family and evening programs

Permanent exhibitions

• Figurentheater – Spiel des Lebens – Themed rooms on marionettes, hand puppets, Chinese iron-rod puppets and animal figures from Mali show how people bring objects to life, with numerous play and touch stations.

Founded

1982

Operated by

KOLK 17 gGmbH Figurentheater & Museum (Possehl-Stiftung)

Director

Antonia Napp

Admission & discounts

Free museum admission also for holders of the Ehrenamtskarte SH (volunteer card), DMB and ICOM members, LübeckCard holders and Lübeck city tour guides. Gift vouchers available for the museum and theater. On the group page, all three flat rates are labeled “for 60 min.”; 60/90/120 minutes are apparently meant.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description

Buildings step-free, elevator in the museum (Kolk 20/22) serving all floors. Tactile models in the foyer and exhibition; KOLK 17 app with German Sign Language (DGS) videos, plain language and audio description. Induction loop in the foyer and the large theater hall. Two accessible parking spaces on An der Obertrave opposite no. 9. No guidance system for blind visitors.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area
• Kids’ birthday parties: not available

Children's corner in the exhibition; baby changing facilities in the accessible restroom. Buildings step-free, visits with a stroller possible. Children up to 12 pay a reduced rate for the family program. Children's birthday parties not currently offered; inquiries to the team are possible.

Getting there & parking

Arriving by car is not recommended due to the lack of parking at the building.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available
• Coat check

Theater bar with drinks, no food.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Plan your visit