Thüringer Kloßmuseum

About the museum

The idea for a museum about Thuringia's national dish came about in 1997 during an encounter with the actor Manfred Krug. Two years later, the Heichelheim dumpling manufacturer set up a factory outlet in its former potato-peeling plant, from which the Kloßmuseum also emerged in 1999.

After a change of operator and a temporary closure in 2010, the museum reopened in August 2011 under the management of ABLIG Feinfrost GmbH, redesigned and with reduced barriers. Since then it has been part of the “Thüringer Kloß-Welt” (Thuringian Dumpling World), a visitor attraction with a factory outlet, café, children's play area, and event room.

The exhibition explores the production, history, and curiosities of the Thuringian dumpling – from old kitchen utensils to the question of whether Goethe already knew dumplings. A walk-in giant dumpling with a film about production and a tiny dumpling are among the visitors' favorites. On the upper floor, the “Kloß-Mobile” collection displays more than 50 vehicles, mostly made in East Germany (GDR), while the Mitteldeutsches Speiseeismuseum (Central German Ice Cream Museum) covers the history of ice cream; since 2024, an exhibition there has featured the Nordhausen entrepreneurial families Hügues and Werther.

Highlights

• Walk-in giant dumpling with a film on dumpling production
• Probably the world's smallest dumpling
• More than 50 “Kloß-Mobile” vehicles, from the EMW 340 to the Wartburg
• Mitteldeutsches Speiseeismuseum (Central German Ice Cream Museum)
• Café serving house-made Thuringian dumplings

Permanent exhibitions

• Thüringer Kloßmuseum – History, production, and curiosities surrounding the Thuringian dumpling, with a walk-in giant dumpling and a production film.
• Kloß-Mobile – More than 50 vehicles, mostly made in Thuringia and the GDR, from Wartburg models and functional prototypes to commercial vehicles and two-wheelers.
• Mitteldeutsches Speiseeismuseum – Redesigned exhibition on the history of ice cream, incorporating a display on how the Nordhausen family business went from grain spirits to HEXEN ice cream.

Founded

1999

Operated by

ABLIG Feinfrost GmbH

Admission & discounts

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

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• 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

Barrier-free access to Café Klößchen and a separate entrance to the museum area for people with physical disabilities. Animals are not permitted due to hygiene regulations in the factory outlet.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Hands-on stations
• Playground / play area

The Kloß-Welt sees itself as an excursion destination for the whole family. In the Kinder-Kloß-Welt, there is a crawling box for the little ones, a dumpling pyramid, a marble run, a dumpling computer, and a long model railway, whatever the weather.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Café Klößchen and Kloß snack bar with Thuringian dumplings, cake, and homemade ice cream; factory outlet with Thuringian specialties.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 80 guests.

Seminar and training room “Kloß-Forum” for approx. 80 people with equipment and catering; company and family celebrations during opening hours.

Plan your visit