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Located in Dresden, Pfunds Molkerei is one of Germany's most popular tourist destinations, attracting over 500,000 visitors annually. That's unusual for a dairy shop, but this isn't just any dairy shop. Pfunds Molkerei is as beautiful as a palace. In 1998, it was awarded the Guinness World Record for "The World's Most Beautiful Dairy Shop".
The history of Pfunds Molkerei can be traced back to 1879, when German farmer Paul Pfund moved from Reinholdshain to Dresden with six cows and numerous pigs. He established a small dairy business on Görlitzer Straße, where passersby could observe the milking process and how the milk was prepared for sale. The following year, Paul's brother, actor Friedrich Pfund, joined the business, and together they founded the Dresdner Gebrüder Pfund dairy company.
Friedrich Pfund died in 1893, but his sons, Paul, Kurt, and Max, later joined the company and helped the brand grow. Initially, the humble dairy company processed 150 liters of milk per day, but by 1930, they were processing over 60,000 liters daily. Using the surplus milk, Pfund became the first producer of condensed milk in Germany, and also began selling milk soap and infant formula.
Beyond its exquisite dairy products, the world's most beautiful dairy shop offers a feast for the eyes. The stunning Pfunds Molkerei dairy shop, as it stands today, was built in 1891 and is decorated with exquisite ceramic tiles produced by one of Germany's oldest ceramics companies, Villeroy & Boch, and hand-painted in the Neo-Renaissance style by local artists.
Today, people don't just enter this magnificent dairy shop to buy a glass of milk, but also for its incredibly romantic, classic atmosphere. Pfunds Molkerei miraculously survived the bombings in Dresden during World War II and continued operating until 1978. It wasn't until 1995 that the dairy shop reopened. Since then, this inspiring shop has become a globally renowned Dresden landmark. With up to 1,000 visitors daily, it's no surprise that photography is prohibited, unless specifically requested by the press and media.
The shop has a floor-to-ceiling canopy adorned with dancing angels, chubby babies, cows, and forest creatures. All accented in gold and blue, and illuminated by chandeliers, it might lead some to believe it's inside a palace rather than a dairy shop. But after more than 100 years, Pfunds Molkerei still sells milk and proudly boasts one of Germany's finest cheese selections, along with a variety of other dairy products such as chocolate and cream liqueurs, as well as popular milk soaps. Additionally, the café upstairs offers delicious dairy treats, such as tortellini with spinach and grated feta or pork in creamy pepper sauce.
The Pfunds Molkerei dairy shop is also being impacted by Covid-19. They've had to reduce their opening hours and cut back on sales. But Pfunds Molkerei survived two World Wars, and it will weather this storm.
Additional information
government:Pfunds Molkerei
Address: Bautzner Straße 79, Dresden
Opening hours: 10 AM to 6 PM Monday to Saturday, 10 AM to 3 PM Sunday
