Chocolate has long been not just a sweet that is loved all over the world, but part of world culture. There are even holidays - International Chocolate Day and World Chocolate Day, celebrated on September 13 and July 11, respectively.
It is not surprising that there are museums entirely devoted to this dessert.
Today we will talk about the top ten most famous places that every tourist should visit, especially if he is a sweet tooth.
10. Panny Museum (Victoria Island, Canada)
On the island of Victoria, located in Canada, for a long time there is a confectionery factory Phillip Island, specializing in the production of chocolates and other products.
Its distinctive feature is that there is practically no automation of the manufacturing process itself: workers make most of the delicacies manually.
To attract tourists and popularize their own products, the Panny Museum was opened in the factory, which displays large-scale expositions: portraits of chocolate bars, a statue of David from the same material, and other exhibits. It looks not only delicious, but also very beautiful.
9. Chocolate Castle Museum (Jeju, South Korea)
Despite the extravagance of local cuisine, chocolate is loved in Asia, although there is only one famous museum - on Jeju Island in South Korea.
Here, in an antique-styled castle made of volcanic rock, a huge number of chocolate samples from around the world are collected.
The main attraction of the collection, its “highlight” is the model of the tram that traveled around San Francisco in the 19th century. Visitors are amazed not only by the details of this "sweet" toy, but also by its full capacity for work.
8. The Musee du Chocolat Chocolate Museum (San Stephen, Canada)
A box of chocolates in the shape of a heart, like the candies of this form themselves, is familiar to everyone. Thanks for this is worth the confectioners from the Canadian company Ganong Bros James and Gilbert Ganong, who came up with such a design more than a century ago.
Since then, their production, which began with a small confectionery, has expanded significantly, and the Musee du Chocolat museum not only tells the history of the company, but also demonstrates modern achievements in the field of chocolate production.
Some of the world's best chocolatiers (masters of chocolate art) work here, so the museum’s collection is regularly updated with new exhibits.
7. Nestle Chocolate Museum (Mexico City, Mexico)
Despite its name, the museum in the capital of Mexico is dedicated not only to the history of Nestle, but to the history of the product as a whole.
The museum building was built in record time - in just 2.5 months, making it look like an origami figure.
In addition to a large number of various exhibits, there is a kind of theater here: a large room where visitors can learn a lot of interesting things about chocolate sitting on soft padded stools in the shape of sweets.
6. Candy Americana Museum (Lititz, PA, USA)
This museum is better known as "Wilbur" and has a rather unusual history. Unlike most others, it was not founded by candy companies, but by the wife of a local pastry chef.
A woman who liked her husband’s work seriously began to get involved in chocolate and collect everything related to it: utensils for making it, souvenirs, recipes, etc.
Over time, the collection grew and began to number more than 1,000 items, which every tourist who casually or not ends up in Pennsylvania can stare at now.
5. Museum of Chocolate Secrets Zhespolsem (Strasbourg, France)
The spacious building is divided into several sections, each of which has its own purpose. For example, in one you can find out the history of occurrence, in the other you can watch a documentary about it, in the third you can see for yourself the “sacrament” of making chocolate.
Of course, there is also a tasting section in which visitors can quench their appetite, as well as a souvenir shop, from which it is impossible to leave empty-handed.
4. Chocolate Museum in Bruges (Belgium)
The list of chocolate museums will be incomplete if not to mention the Choco-Story: a true paradise for fans of this treat.
In Belgium, where it is located, a thematic festival is held annually, gathering the best chocolatiers from around the world, many of whose masterpieces later remain in this museum, so there is definitely something to see.
And there is also an excellent bar, in which, instead of alcohol, you can taste about fifty chocolate cocktails.
3. Chocolate Museum "Choco-Story" in Prague (Czech Republic)
This museum is a branch of the "Choco-Story" from Bruges, therefore it bears the same name, and the lion's share of the exhibits comes from Belgium. However, there are also many products from other countries: for example, a Russian tourist will be pleasantly surprised to see Alenka among the exhibits.
The museum employs a whole staff of chocolatiers, who hold master classes for everyone, making it possible not only to watch from the outside, but also to take part personally in the creation of sweets.
2. Chocolate Museum in Barcelona (Spain)
This museum was created by the Catalan confectionery guild (yes, this exists) and boasts an impressive exposition of chocolate sculptures.
Tourists are delighted to see figures of famous political or cultural figures, easily recognizing them thanks to the fine work of the master.
Every Easter in the city there is a kind of “battle of confectioners”, which attracts chocolatiers from all over the world, so the collection is regularly updated.
1. Chocolate Museum in Cologne (Germany)
A three-meter chocolate fountain, growing cocoa trees and the secrets of making classic chocolate hares and Santa Clauses are just a small part of what tourists visit this museum for.
There is a whole greenhouse with tropical trees, and in its own factory the production of sweets for every taste boils.
Your friends will appreciate such a present much more than a magnet from Cologne, do not hesitate.