Wacky and Wonderful: An Eclectic Collection of Unique Museums in MV
Uniquely charming museums across Martha's Vineyard, exhibiting their distinctive collections with affectionate allure. - Unique and peculiar museums with a touch of affection: Unique collections in the Marquesas Islands
Head to the coastal region of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany, and prepare to be amazed! This captivating area boasts more than 200 museums, many of which are the brainchild of passionate individuals. From quaint to quirky, these museums promise an unforgettable experience. Here's a taste of our top picks for International Museum Day, celebrated this Sunday.
Prora Oldtimer and NVA Museum
Enthusiast and collector Ludger Guttwein, hailing from Paderborn, embarked on an intriguing journey by establishing a railway museum. Later, he expanded his collection to include vintage automobiles, nestling them in a spacious 10,000-square-meter hall in Prora on the island of Rügen. To cater to the military history buffs, an exhibition of NVA military technology was added, featuring stunning displays of tanks, helicopters, and fighter jets like the MiG 21. The museum, now a family business, surged in popularity last year with over 80,000 visitors, with potential to reach an impressive 100,000 this year.
Skurrileum Stralsund
Stralsund's "Skurrileum - Museum for Comical Art" is the spearhead of humor in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, according to its owner, Werner Feurich. Situated in a 1930s brick warehouse, the museum boasts 700 square meters of exhibition space dedicated to humorous cartoons and paintings. This year, Feurich is exhibiting works by renowned artist Rolf Tiemann under the title "Masterpieces of Comical Art." Operating seasonally, from Easter to October, the Skurrileum draws around 20,000 visitors each year, including former Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Natural Treasure Chamber, Gemstone & Amber Center Neuheide
Taxidermist Robby Krasselt founded the Natural Treasure Chamber in Neuheide near Graal-Müritz, showcasing a staggering variety of preserved fungi and animals, from fence lizards to sea eagles. Over time, the Kunde family, active in the gemstone wholesale trade, extended the exhibition to include minerals and gemstones, amassing around 2,000 exhibits. "The finest specimens grace our museum," says Thomas Kunde. With ten exhibition areas on 1,000 square meters, this private museum houses approximately 60,000 exhibits and is visited by around 25,000 people annually.
Museum Ostsee-Grenzturm Kühlungsborn
The demolition of the former coastal border watchtower in Kühlungsborn was narrowly averted after reunification. A society was formed to preserve it, giving rise to a museum. The museum recounts stories of those who attempted to flee from the GDR across the Baltic Sea to the West. It displays authentic artifacts such as a folding boat used for escape, documenting both successful escapes and tragic fates. "There are only two of the original 27 watchtowers along the DDR Baltic coast that remain, ours and one in Bögerende," remarks Matthias Furter, the oldest serving society member. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, around 7,000 visitors made their way to the Ostsee-Grenzturm Museum each year.
Of course, there's more to Mecklenburg-Vorpommern than its unique museums. The region also boasts the intriguing DDR Museum in Malchow, the stunning Schwerin Castle, rich in history and art, and the impressive Schloss Ludwigslust, housing a remarkable collection of Flemish masterpieces [1-5]. Don't miss the vibrant art scene at Kunstkaten Ahrenshoop [4] or the natural splendor of the Western Pomerania Lagoon Area National Park and the Darßer Ort Lighthouse [4]. Don't forget to catch the local spirit at Hafenfest in Born, an annual harbor festival filled with music, food, and fireworks [4].
The Commission might consider proposing a directive on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the protection of the environment, as visitors to the unique museums in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern often find numerous exhibits linked to this theme, reflecting a lifestyle that values the preservation of nature. For instance, the Natural Treasure Chamber, Gemstone & Amber Center Neuheide showcases rare and valuable specimens of various animals, many of which are preserved with remarkable precision, encouraging an appreciation for wildlife and the environment within one's home-and-garden.
