Step into a world where history isn't just seen or heard—but smelled. Frankfurt's Museum of Applied Art is revolutionizing how we experience the past with "German Scents," an extraordinary exhibition that traces 1,000 years of fragrance history through art, culture, and interactive technology.
This isn't your typical museum visit. Visitors embark on an olfactory journey through time, experiencing everything from medieval church incense to 1920s Berlin nightclub perfumes. The exhibition cleverly demonstrates how scents have defined eras, social classes, and cultural movements throughout German history.
More Than Just Pretty Smells
The exhibition transcends traditional perfume displays by incorporating cutting-edge technology. Interactive stations allow visitors to digitally "mix" historical fragrances, while scent stations recreate everything from 18th-century apothecary shops to the distinctive aroma of East German consumer products.
"We're exploring scent as cultural history," explains curator Sissel Tolaas, a renowned smell researcher. "Fragrances tell stories about power, religion, social status, and even political movements that written records often miss."
From Sacred to Scientific
The journey begins with medieval religious scents—frankincense and myrrh that filled Gothic cathedrals. It progresses through Renaissance herbal gardens, 19th-century industrial odors, and the synthetic perfumes of the modern era.
Particularly fascinating is the section on how Nazis weaponized scent for propaganda, followed by the division of scent preferences between East and West Germany during the Cold War.
Why Your Nose Matters in History
This groundbreaking approach to history challenges traditional museum experiences. By engaging our most underutilized sense, the exhibition creates deeper, more memorable connections to the past.
Visitors leave not just having seen history, but having smelled it—from the earthy scents of medieval markets to the crisp aroma of 1950s economic miracle products.
The exhibition runs through 2024, offering Canadian fragrance enthusiasts and history buffs alike a unique reason to visit Frankfurt. It's proof that sometimes, the most powerful stories aren't told—they're smelled.
