The private collection of the Cologne chocolate manufacturer Hans Imhoff on the cultural and industrial history of chocolate was the basis for the Cologne Chocolate Museum, which was opened in 1993. In this unique museum covering an area of more than 4000 m², visitors can learn interesting facts about the 5000-year cultural history of cocoa as well as about modern chocolate production from the cocoa bean to the praline. With over 600,000 visitors a year, the Cologne Chocolate Museum is one of the most popular cultural institutions in the cathedral city. In addition to a walk-in tropical house, visitors can marvel at natural history information on cocoa, exhibits from the pre-Columbian cultures of Central America, a baroque porcelain and silver collection and numerous old machines from the industrialisation era.
