Töpfermuseum Duingen

About the museum

For centuries Duingen was the largest pottery town between the Leine and the Weser, a region known as "Pottland" because of its ceramics production. From the high-quality stoneware clay found here, waterproof and acid-resistant drinking, storage and serving vessels were made from the Middle Ages onwards, traded by ship and horse-drawn cart throughout Europe and in part even worldwide. In the 17th and 18th centuries the small village had over 40 potteries; only cheap competition from enamel and porcelain wares ended the heyday of the craft in the late 19th century, after which two factories processed the clay mainly into pipes and troughs.

The Töpfermuseum opened in 1988 as the "Kulturtreff Töpfermuseum"; it is run by the Flecken Duingen, supported by the friends' circle within the Duinger Heimat- und Kulturverein e. V. It is housed in a large half-timbered house from 1789, on whose site one of the oldest potteries in the village previously stood.

The collection comprises more than 2000 objects: globular pots from the 12th century, richly decorated tube-spouted jugs of the Renaissance, plain kitchen and cellar ware of the 18th and 19th centuries, and industrial and art ceramics of the 20th century. There are also changing special exhibitions with contemporary ceramics and on local and ceramic-history topics, a library and a film about the traditional craft of pottery. The museum is expected to move into the new Duinger community center "Neue Mitte" in summer 2027.

Highlights

• Duinger stoneware from eight centuries
• Globular pots from the 12th century and Renaissance tube-spouted jugs
• Half-timbered house from 1789
• Film about the traditional pottery craft
• Free admission

Permanent exhibition

• Duinger Steinzeug – acht Jahrhunderte Keramik – Overview of Duingen pottery from the Middle Ages to 20th-century industrial ware and art ceramics.

Founded

1988

Operated by

Flecken Duingen

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission; guided tours for school classes are free.

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 museum is in a historic half-timbered house and is not wheelchair-accessible; seating is available.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops: not available

Child-friendly house with the children's book "Maries Töpferreise" and free guided tours for school classes. Workshops are only planned after the move to the "Neue Mitte".

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Museum shop

The Pottland café is closed until further notice; the alternative is the cafeteria in the indoor swimming pool. Catalogs and publications are sold in the museum.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit