theCologne, Germany is a treasure trove of history and art. To be honest, when I lived there, I was either too busy working or slightly indifferent to its charms. However, now I enjoy my sojourns there. Spending a day in Cologne is always packed with shopping, sightseeing, and tasting. The wide variety of this city’s museums is a big part of why I love to visit. Here are 3 Diverse Cologne Museums to explore.
Fragrance Museum Farina-House.
My first reaction is that this would be a kitschy, fun stop but it was surprisingly fascinating. The Fragrance Museum Farina-House (Duftmuseum im Farina-Haus) in Cologne is a fascinating destination, not just for anyone interested in the history of perfume.
Firstly, it celebrates the legacy of Johann Maria Farina, the inventor of Eau de Cologne, and provides a journey into the world of scents and their cultural significance. Secondly, it gives a wonder glimpse into what the city of Cologne was like over the last centuries.
Founded in 1709 by Johann Maria Farina, this perfume house is the world’s oldest fragrance factory still in operation.
Farina named his creation Eau de Cologne (literally “water from Cologne”) as a tribute to the city. It became wildly popular across Europe, favored by royalty and notable figures like Marlene Deitrich, Napoleon, Queen Victoria, and Goethe.
The Farina family has owned and operated the business continuously for over 300 years.
The museum chronicles the 300-year history of the perfume maker in the original building.
Some highlights/facts:
-The trade language of Cologne hundreds of years ago was French.
-The comparative cost of this perfume today would be 2,000 euros/bottle.
-The famous red tulip logo of Farina Eau de Cologne is a registered trademark and has been in use since 1709.
-Napoleon had special boots made with a compartment to carry a bottle when riding his horse.
– Ernst Ludwig Kirschner and Max Ernst designed bottles for the company.
-A competitor who lost an 18-year court case to use versions of the Farina name for their scent products. That competitor renamed their product 4711 after their street address.
I highly recommend this 45-minute tour available in English. Also, there is one where the tour guide dresses up like Farina and leads the tour in character. Visitors also participate in smell testing (guess the scent) and leave with a small bottle of the company’s original fragrance.
Johann Maria Farina described his perfume as “a fragrance that reminds me of an Italian spring morning, of mountain daffodils and orange blossoms after the rain.”
The museum preserves the original workspace, including Johann Maria Farina’s office in the original Farina factory.
Visitors can see letters and orders from famous clients, showcasing the international appeal of the fragrance.
Farina Duft Museum is in the heart of Cologne’s old town, close to the Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom).
Guided tours are available in multiple languages, making it accessible for international visitors.
No photos are allowed in the museum itself. However, you can take pictures in the museum’s shop. Furthermore, if you email the museum, they will send you their press kit photos which are featured here.
Farina Duft Museum
Obenmarspforten 21
50667 Cologne
3 Diverse Cologne Museums to explore: Museum Ludwig Köln
Founded in 1976: The museum was established when Peter and Irene Ludwig, prominent art collectors, donated a massive collection of modern art to the city of Cologne. This museum has a modern focus. From its inception, it aims to showcase 20th-century and contemporary art.
Museum Ludwig is located near the famous Cologne Dom. Among its stunning Modern art collection is one of the largest Picasso collections in Europe, spanning various periods of his career.
In addition, the museum houses one of Europe’s largest Pop Art collections, including works by Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein.
Many German Expressionists are well-represented (Ernst, Kirshner, Beckmann, Kandinsky).
Visiting the Museum Ludwig is an immersive experience that celebrates the diversity and innovation of modern art. Whether you’re captivated by Picasso’s genius, fascinated by Pop Art, or intrigued by avant-garde movements, the museum offers something for everyone!
Bonus: A planted terrace on the museum’s roof overlooks the Cologne Dom. Also, there are views of the Rhine from several windows.
Museum Ludwig
Heinrich-Böll-Platz
50667 Köln
Germany
NS-Dokumentationszentrum Köln
This is the most sobering of the 3 Diverse Cologne Museums in this post. The NS-Dokumentationszentrum Köln (National Socialism Documentation Center of Cologne) is an important museum and memorial dedicated to the history of National Socialism and its impact on Cologne.
It is housed in the EL-DE Haus, which was the Gestapo (secret police) headquarters during the Nazi regime. The center is equal parts a memorial and a research center. The exhibits are comprehensive. It’s A LOT to take in one go. a 360-degree tour in several languages is available on their website.
The building served as Gestapo offices, a prison, and a site for interrogation and torture. Visit the original prison cells in the basement of the building. The walls still have graffiti from the prisoners—heartbreaking messages, names, dates, and even poems written during their incarceration.
The museum details the rise of National Socialism, its effects on Cologne, and the persecution of various groups, including Jews, political dissidents, Sinti and Roma, and others.
The center regularly hosts temporary exhibitions that explore broader themes of human rights, resistance movements, and the consequences of authoritarianism.
An Education Center:
The center is a hub for education about the Holocaust, human rights, and combating racism and xenophobia.
It also functions as a research institute, with a vast archive of documents, photos, and other materials related to Cologne under National Socialism. It is a sobering but vital place to visit to understand the local history of Nazi atrocities and the broader implications of fascism. The center serves as both a historical record and a reminder of the importance of vigilance in the face of oppression and injustice.
NS-Dokumentationszentrum Köln
Appellhofplatz 23-25
50667 Cologne
So, do you like this post about 3 Diverse Cologne Museums? Also, check out some of these other travel posts:
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