Admire the tiniest children’s museum in Germany with the aid of Matterport digital twins

If there weren’t enough reasons to visit the Krämerbrücke bridge in Erfurt, it is now home to the world's smallest children’s museum. 360° World captures this charming gallery with Matterport virtual twins. Dominik Kalies and Franziska Bracharz of 360° World take us on a minuscule journey through this important and unique location and explain how Matterport tools made it possible. 

What inspired the 3D capture of this space?

The idea for the world's smallest children's museum came from the children of Krämerbrücke and Franziska Bracharz, who live on the Krämerbrücke — the medieval arch bridge in Erfurt — in winter and leads the city's children's tour. 

Bracharz and the children built the igloo together, which was intended as a tribute to the first famous bridge tomcat, Franz, and the next bridge tomcat, Franz II, who lived in the house behind the igloo. The idea was for all of the children to participate in the interior decoration and create a children's museum about the events, highlighting the significance the Krämerbrücke creates

What are the “must-sees” you want visitors to explore and why?

Inside the mini-museum, self-designed images of all the Krämer children can be admired. If you look at the signatures, you can see that many children lived on the Krämerbrücke in 2020. They captured what was close to their hearts during that particular winter. 

There is also the hair of a deceased bridge cat. He fell more than eight meters from one of the 32 houses and into the river flowing under the bridge.

One of the most important "must-see" sights is the drawing of the first Krämerbrückenkater: Franz, who has achieved great fame. Painter and grocer Egon Zimpel dedicated a children's book to him. Egon Zimpel depicts Franz as a "mayor" on the built-up bridge. The town owes the preservation of the unique landmark to him, on which the children's museum was built by a grocer and the children.

Hidden, in a secret compartment, there is also a crystal from the palace of the equally famous river spirit Gerald Gerageist. Next to the crystal palace in the water of the Gera, in one of the six bridge piers, Gerageist’s second home since 1325 is an iconic landmark. No one has ever seen him, but everyone knows him.

What’s the one thing you want visitors to take away after exploring your 3D tour?

Sometimes it's the little things that make something very big. This is not only true for all the children of this world but for all people; it is the small, unusual view of tiny things that exemplifies the most important pillars of the Krämerbrücke: Krämer, Kinder, Katz & Co. These foundations are all also supporting pillars of the 125-meter bridge built on both sides that is completely unique in Europe!

What are the benefits of Matterport digital twins?

In this case, the digital twin becomes a unique piece again. Even when the last snow and ice crystals have long since thawed, the 360-degree scan mirrors the vanished experience. Without the Children's Museum's digital capture of the original, the children’s special winter creation would only be a vague memory. From unique space to virtual twin and from digital twin back to unique creation!

Do you have any plans to capture more 3D experiences?

From the river, it's off to the sea! The next project is going high up again. The plan is to build a historic building, right by the sea on a car-free island in northern Germany. After decades of slumber as a ruin, seen only from the outside, the more than 100-year-old building shines freshly restored in new splendor in early summer.

Anything else you would like to add?

History can be experienced through stories. When told in unique spaces, both the story and the special room, buildings, or even igloos shine all the brighter.

If you understand a place, you usually understand the people. Only in this way can you also understand the rest of the world. Everyone can start with this journey on a small scale, which must always be well protected!