The church building
An old church reused as a gallery — an amusing contrast between setting and subject.
4028mdk09 — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Dat doris — CC BY 4.0 · Derbrauni — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Unknown authorUnknown author — Public domain
The German Packaging Museum is a small and unusual museum in the heart of Heidelberg's old town, inside a converted old church. Its subject is simple: how the packaging of everyday products has changed over a hundred and fifty years — soap-powder boxes, drink bottles, chocolate wrappers and soap. The subject sounds trivial at first, but the museum shows how packaging became a tool of advertising, of trust and of memory, and how familiar brands have altered their look across the decades. The visit is short and enjoyable for anyone who likes design and advertising. Note: the hours are short and afternoons only, so check before going.
An old church reused as a gallery — an amusing contrast between setting and subject.
Internationally familiar brands and how their packaging shifted across a century.
Containers from the late nineteenth century, when goods began to be sold wrapped rather than loose.
Hauptstraße 22, 69117 Heidelberg
Kurpfälzisches MuseumThe Kurpfälzisches Museum is Heidelberg's city museum, housed in an eighteenth-c7 minutes walk4.4
Body Worlds HeidelbergBody Worlds in Heidelberg displays real human bodies preserved by a process call7 minutes walk4.6
Altes HallenbadThe Altes Hallenbad is a public indoor swimming baths built in 1906 in Art Nouve7 minutes walk4.6
NeckarwieseThe Neckarwiese is Heidelberg's summer living room: a long green ribbon on the r7 minutes walk4.7
Philosophers' WayThe Philosophers' Way is a walking path on the hillside across the river from th8 minutes walk4.8More than you would expect, but within limits. If you like design, advertising and the history of everyday products, you will spend a pleasant hour. If you want a large museum or a dramatic subject, this is not it. The ticket is cheap and the risk small.
An hour is plenty. It is small and on the old town's main street, so drop in between two other visits rather than making a trip of it.
Moderately. Children may recognise brands they know and find that amusing, but the museum leans on reading and historical context. Older children interested in design will get more from it than younger ones.