Gleaming softly under the sunlight sits the Porzellan Museum Frankfurt in Kronberger Haus. It is more than just a building. It is a portal to a world of artistry and history.
The Porzellan Museum Frankfurt resides within the Kronberger Haus. This noble palace was constructed by Franz von Kronberg between 1577 and 1580. Since 1994, it has been home to a stunning collection. The Historisches Museum Frankfurt presents around 1800 Höchst faiences and porcelain pieces here. The collection focuses mainly on the Rococo and Neoclassical periods.
Did you know that the Porzellan Museum Frankfurt is one of only 56 museums in German-speaking countries specializing in ceramics? Within these walls, you’ll find not just one but three exhibitions and often a special exhibition.
The Kronberger Haus itself has a rich story. It was built in the 16th century. Its Late Renaissance style was quite progressive for its time. Over the centuries, its function has changed dramatically. It has been a noble palace, a print workshop, and even a tobacco factory. Later, it served as a town hall, school, library, and even a station for the Höchst voluntary fire brigade.
Franz von Cronberg, who commissioned the house, was a bailiff for the Electorate of Mainz. He lived here with his wife, Katharina von Hattstein, and their five children.
The building later passed into the hands of the Walbott von Bassenheim family. Then it went to Höchst citizens. Imagine this building as a printing workshop from 1777 to 1800. Picture it as a tobacco factory from 1800 to 1844. The 19th century brought many renovations and alterations. In 1862, the city acquired the Kronberger Haus.
From 1874 to 1909, it functioned as a town hall, school, and library. The Höchst Voluntary Fire Brigade was stationed here from 1879. After the city administration moved to the Bolongaropalast in 1909, the building began to decay.
In 1984, Hoechst AG funded the first renovation. This allowed the building to be used for cultural purposes. But disaster struck in 1989. An arson attack devastated the building. After a second restoration, the Historisches Museum Frankfurt took over Kronberger Haus in 1994.
Today, Patricia Stahl, curator of the Historisches Museum Frankfurt, manages the Porzellan Museum Frankfurt. The museum showcases three Höchst porcelain collections within its 1000 square meters of exhibition space.
The Porzellan Museum Frankfurt presents the most extensive publicly accessible collection of Höchst faiences and porcelain. The permanent exhibition “Quality from Höchst and Baroque Ornamentation” tells the story of the old Höchster Porzellan Manufaktur from 1746 to the present day. A highlight is the Kurt Bechtold collection. It features porcelain figures and tableware with delicate flower and bird paintings.
Fine porcelain symbolizes luxury and sophistication. The exhibits tell the story of dining culture and porcelain’s role as a status symbol. You can even experience coffee served in the finest Höchst china after a guided tour.
Before you stands not just a museum but a testament to Frankfurt’s rich history. The Porzellan Museum Frankfurt in Kronberger Haus connects us to the past. It shows us the artistry and elegance of a bygone era. Take a moment to appreciate the delicate beauty around you.