Carnival Museum

Situated in the carnival capital of Cologne, this museum is the largest in the German-speaking world, and has set pulses racing since 2005. The origins of the city's famous street festival date back to ancient times, however the first modern incarnation was staged in 1823. In around 1,400m² of exhibition space, the Carnival Museum celebrates almost 200 years of fun and tradition. It documents the history and diversity of the event, from its ancient beginnings to the present day. The exhibition paints a vivid picture of what locals have dubbed "the fifth season of the year", covering everything from the street procession itself to the more alternative attractions. Highlights include the parade floats and their oversized effigies, costumed puppets and state-of-the-art audio-visual installations. One of the oldest exhibits is the carnival committee's protocol book from 1827. Closed Mondays, 24-26 and 31 Dec., 1 Jan., carnival days, Easter and Whitsun. Guided tours available.