Pig Museum, Stuttgart, Germany
If I told you the world’s biggest pig museum is in Stuttgart, would you think I was telling you a porkie?
Well, I’m not. Lying to you is a loin I wouldn’t cross.
When I found out that there was a Pig Museum (or Schweine Museum, in German) in Stuttgart, I was so excited it was almost enough to make me squeal.
So I immediately trotted off there chop chop. I didn’t want to miss piggy.
The museum opened in 2010 in the old administration building of a slaughterhouse. Since then it has grown to the point where it has more than 50,000 items on display.
The museum is less about the pig itself, and more about what we, as humans, have done with the pig image. And, gee, do we ham it up!
Pigs might fly but they also sit, eat, and shag… and all of things are represented in the items on display.
There are piggy banks (of course) but also kitchenware, antique statues, soft toys, ties… even a letterbox.
It seems there’s nothing that can’t be made in the image of a pig. Where there’s a swill, there’s a way.
It’s all divided into 25 themed rooms that each have a topic like international pigs, wedding pigs, mythical pigs… and so on. There’s even an x-rated section where the pigs are… well, porking.
Another room is all about hobbies and there’s a great painting of pigs playing cards. I’m not sure what game but I assume it’s porker.
Now, you might think it all sounds like a bit of a boar. To that, I say hogwash!
There is so much to see here that you could huff and puff and not even blow half the house down.
If having the best collection of pork paraphernalia was a sport, this museum would win the olympig gold medal! I’m not sure there is much competition, but it would certainly take home the bacon!
You also learn a little because, along the way, there are some interesting facts.
Did you know that there are more pigs than people in Denmark?
Or that China has half the world’s pigs? Or that there is only one pig in Afghanistan and it’s kept in a zoo?
No? Well, these are the kind of difficult answers you get when you ask the through questions!
Anyway. This isn’t your usual tourist attraction but it’s a good laugh. There are actually some really nice items here and it’s fascinating just to see the scale of the whole thing.
You might wonder how it gets enough visitors to still be in business but you know why it’s still going strong? It’s too pig to fail!
THE BEST ACCOMMODATION IN STUTTGART
You might find it convenient to get accommodation that’s walking distance from the main train station so you can easily explore the region.
BACKPACKER
If you’re looking for a budget option, the Youth Hostel Stuttgart International is one of Germany’s best.
BUDGET
For a basic but comfortable and cheap hotel, I would suggest Hotel Astoria.
BOUTIQUE
A good modern hotel in Stuttgart that’s a great option is Jaz Stuttgart.
LUXURY
And I think the best luxury hotel in Stuttgart is the Le Meridien, which also has a perfect location.
Time Travel Turtle was a guest of Baden-Wurttemberg and DB Bahn but the opinions, over-written descriptions and bad jokes are his own.
WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT STUTTGART?
To help you plan your trip to Stuttgart:
- My tips for the best things to do in Stuttgart
- Explore the city’s fascinating motoring history
- Why Ludwigsburg Palace is one of the best in Germany
- The Cannstatter Volksfest could almost be better than Oktoberfest!
- Visiting the Mercedes-Benz Museum is one of the best things you can do in Stuttgart
- If you really love cars, maybe you want to sleep in one!
- Don’t miss this quirky museum dedicated to… pigs
Let someone else do the work for you:
You may also want to consider taking a tour of Germany, rather than organising everything on your own. It’s also a nice way to have company if you are travelling solo.
I am a ‘Wanderer’ with G Adventures and they have great tours of Germany.
You could consider:
- Explore Central Europe – National Geographic (9 days)
- The best of Eastern Europe (14 days)
- Eastern Europe, Croatia, the Balkans (28 days)
When I travel internationally, I always get insurance. It’s not worth the risk, in case there’s a medical emergency or another serious incident. I recommend you should use World Nomads for your trip.
Esther |
The x-rated section was not part of the hobby section? 😀
Poor pig in Afghanistan, all alone and in the zoo! He (or she) should migrate to Denmark! China is more high risk for pigs I suppose.
Entertaining subject. Pigs rule 🙂
Michael Turtle |
The x-rated section was very weird. I felt a bit naughty looking at it… and also a little creeped out…
Sue Sharpe (@suesharpe1) |
I was going to try and use a pig-related pun in this comment – but you appear to have hogged them all!
Great article 🙂
Michael Turtle |
Ha ha – fantastic. I knew there would be more!! 🙂
Forrest |
He should make a pun would pick a pocket! Great post!
Michael Turtle |
He he. Thanks, mate! 🙂
Devlin @ Marginal Boundaries |
Soooo many puns! Hannah Hart would be proud.
Michael Turtle |
Ha ha… I try my best 🙂
Megan |
The puns started off well but then it all turned to slop 😉
Michael Turtle |
Boom tish!! 🙂
Audrey |
Such a quirky idea for a museum! Never heard of it when I was in Stuttgart.
Michael Turtle |
Who knows where these kind of ideas come from but I think it actually worked out pretty well!
Lauren Meshkin |
Ha, love this post. I think this museum would overwhelm me in the best way possible.
Happy travels 🙂
Michael Turtle |
It was surprisingly overwhelming! I never knew when it was going to end. There just seemed to be endless rooms of pigs!!! 🙂
Jaryd |
Haha I love the puns! too good, well done on the one Michael
Michael Turtle |
I just couldn’t resist 🙂
Andrew |
It begs the question where the line is between a museum and an obsession with an admission price.
Michael Turtle |
Ha ha ha. Good point – I’ve probably been to a few places where that question could be asked 🙂
Mary @ Green Global Travel |
Hilarious! You have absolutely mastered the sourcing of odd and eccentric museums! I love it!
Michael Turtle |
I know – without even meaning to do it, I feel like I’ve been building up a great collection of odd museum stories. I’ll have to start hunting down even more!!
Ali |
I’m not sure how to react to this. Very strange!
Michael Turtle |
Yes, pretty strange. But much more enjoyable than you might expect!
Frank |
Cute! Germans love their pigs. Made me laugh.
Frank (bbqboy)
Michael Turtle |
He he… glad you appreciated it. Thanks 😉
Jennifer |
Ha! Great post. I love all the pig references throughout. Looks like a very interesting museum.
Michael Turtle |
The interesting thing is why they created it in the first place. Who knows?!
Sand In My Suitcase |
Precious piggie post! Great writing – really enjoyed it… (Good to turn a slaughterhouse into a museum)
Michael Turtle |
He he… I hope all the pig toys don’t realise what used to happen in their new home!! 🙂
Dan |
That was puntastic!
Michael Turtle |
He he… thanks. Just be grateful I don’t do every story like that!! 🙂
Lauren mize |
I live all the way in America and I really love pigs but I don’t want to drive to Germany for the pig Museum so can you possibly move to America