MITROPA – Between the Platform and the Tableware
Who does not remember the clink of porcelain, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, or the feeling of watching the horizon unfold from a railway dining car?
Who does not remember the clink of porcelain, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, or the feeling of watching the horizon unfold from a railway dining car? For generations, MITROPA shaped the experience of rail travel.
Who does not remember the clink of porcelain, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, or the feeling of watching the horizon unfold from a railway dining car? For generations, MITROPA defined rail travel and was far more than a catering company. It became an integral part of everyday life in Germany, as well as a significant chapter in the country's design and cultural history.
This special exhibition invites visitors on a fascinating journey through more than 110 years of railway catering. From the company's foundation in 1916, through the years of Germany's division, to the end of the MITROPA brand in 2002, the exhibition tells the stories of passengers, waiting staff, designers and the wider social changes reflected in the dining car.
Seven thematic sections explore the world of MITROPA, tracing the origins of railway catering, the daily lives of its staff, changing dining culture across the decades, and the distinctive design that made MITROPA an icon.
Original objects, historic menus, uniforms, advertising graphics and memorabilia bring this unique culture of travel vividly back to life.
The exhibition engages all the senses. A recreated station atmosphere, immersive soundscapes, scent and tactile stations, and interactive displays allow visitors to experience history first-hand. Children can set off on their own journey of discovery, listen to an audio adventure, and solve puzzles along the way. Design enthusiasts will encounter the iconic tableware created by East German designer Margarete Jahny, whose designs accompanied generations of travellers. By bringing together industrial heritage, design history, mobility and collective memory, the exhibition offers fresh perspectives on how we travelled in the past, how we travel today, and how we may travel in the future.
The exhibition is intended for railway enthusiasts, design lovers, families, school groups, and anyone wishing to rediscover—or experience for the first time—the distinctive atmosphere of travelling by rail.
The exhibition is supported by the Cultural Foundation of the Free State of Saxony, the Saxon Museum Office, Sparkasse Chemnitz, the East German Savings Banks Foundation, and the Friends of the Industriemuseum Chemnitz.