Theater Figuren Museum, LüBECK

You ought to go out of your way to find this slightly hidden museum in one of the narrow Old Town alleys near St. Petri church and the Holstentor. Theater Figuren Museum has one of the world's largest and most impressive collections of puppets and puppet theatre equipment within its walls. The exhibition is spread over three historic buildings and displays artistically hand-made marionettes, glove puppets, props, stages, posters and shadow theatre figures which date from the 18th and 19th centuries. Barrel organs are also on display here. The more than 1000 exhibits have been collected from all over the world. In addition to European pieces, there are African and Asian puppets as well. There is a shop and cafeteria as well.