tip-no-49 | © Bert Schwarz 2022

German Spice Museum

Highlights

What would the world be without spices? There would be no flavor in sausages, meat, cheese, or pastries. Christmas gingerbread and cookies could not exude their inimitable scent, and the cooking pots of the world would be a haven of culinary tristesse and boredom.

Oriental Bazaar Kulmbach | © Bert Schwarz 2021
World of the senses: A touch of the Orient in the heart of Kulmbach.

A Journey for the Senses

An exciting journey into the world of the senses is promised by 1,000 m² of exhibition space dedicated to the cultural, historical, and botanical facets of spices.

We begin the tour in a bazaar with fragrant spices and oriental music. From there, we dive deep into history: we follow the Silk Road and learn how the precious cargo reached Europe by sea and how the arduous journey across the Alps was mastered.

Spice selection | © Bert Schwarz 2021
Precious cargo: Spices shaped trade routes and world history.

Trade & Origin

The German Spice Museum vividly shows how spices from distant lands found their way to us in earlier times. Insightful exhibits lead visitors to selected locations from the past and present.

Ship model transport | © Bert Schwarz 2021
Logistics of the past: The arduous journey of spices to Europe.

The Heart of the Museum

Interactive smelling and listening stations illustrate the importance of spices in craftsmanship, the food industry, culinary arts, and even medicine.

The Botanicum, the heart of the museum, uniquely stages the origin and use of individual spice plants. It is a fascinating connection between botany and culinary arts.

Botanicum Spice Museum | © Bert Schwarz 2021
Botanicum: Where knowledge and aroma meet.