Worpsweder Käseglocke

About the museum

The "Käseglocke" (cheese dome) is a round wooden house in a wooded area on Worpswede's Lindenallee. It was built in 1926 by the writer Edwin Koenemann, who became known as the first tour guide of the artists' village. As a template he used a design by Bruno Taut for a dome dwelling, which had appeared in Taut's magazine "Frühlicht" in the early 1920s but had never been realized. Koenemann called the building "Glockenhaus" (bell house); the people of Worpswede gave it, because of its shape, the nickname by which it is known today. That Taut was the actual originator was only noticed decades later.

After Koenemann's death in 1960, his widow lived in the house until 1993. The association Freunde Worpswedes e. V. bought the building, which by then was in urgent need of renovation, together with the property in 1994, and in 1996 it was placed under heritage protection. Over about six years, association members and specialist firms restored the exterior skin, colors, and details according to historical findings.

On April 27, 2001, the Käseglocke opened as a museum of Worpswede arts and crafts. The collection includes glass, ceramics, metalwork, weavings, porcelain, and furniture – from Heinrich Vogeler and Bernhard Hoetger to the present day – and is continually expanded through purchases and donations. Object labels are deliberately omitted in order to preserve the character of a residential house. The garden with Expressionist walls and grotto structures made of misfired bricks is as much a part of the ensemble as several outbuildings. The museum is run by volunteers.

Highlights

• Dome house based on a design by Bruno Taut (1926)
• Worpswede arts and crafts in glass, ceramics, metal, and textiles
• Furniture and objects by Heinrich Vogeler and Bernhard Hoetger
• Garden with Expressionist walls and grotto structures
• Residential atmosphere without conventional museum labels

Permanent exhibitions

• Worpsweder Kunsthandwerk – In the living spaces of the round house, glass, ceramics, metal, textiles, and furniture by Worpswede craftspeople are on display, with an emphasis on Hoetger on the first floor and on Vogeler on the second floor.

Founded

2001

Operated by

Freunde Worpswedes e. V.

Admission & discounts

Cash only.

Accessibility

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

Kids & families

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

Getting there & parking

The house is located in the Marcusheide on the hiking trail between the Große Kunstschau and the Barkenhoff.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit