Description
Comic speech bubbles, squeaky onomatopoeia, and plenty of Donaldism: The Erika Fuchs House in Schwarzenbach an der Saale is the only comic museum in Germany. It honors the work of the famous Donald Duck translator Erika Fuchs and provides a playful introduction to language, comic culture, and Duckburg with interactive exhibits.
The Erika Fuchs House in the Fichtelgebirge offers an original mix of wordplay, comic history, and a tribute to an extraordinary woman: Erika Fuchs. The long-time translator and editor of the Micky Mouse magazines not only shaped Duckburg with her coined words like "grübel," "ächz," or "seufz" but also influenced German pop culture.
The tour through the museum takes visitors through seven thematically designed rooms. Highlights include a walk-in Duckburg, with scenes like Daniel Düsentrieb's workshop and Scrooge McDuck's money bin – complete with a pool of coins. Interactive stations invite participation: guests can voice their own comics, create speech bubbles, or test their knowledge of onomatopoeia.
A special section is dedicated to the linguistic art of Erika Fuchs. In addition to original items such as her typewriter and notes, there are interactive stations exploring literary devices like alliteration, onomatopoeia, and Erikativ. The exhibition is complemented by works from well-known comic artists who artistically interpret famous Fuchs quotes.
On rainy days, the museum's comic library is a great stop – here, both young and old fans can find exciting reading material for hours. And for those looking for a souvenir after the tour, the museum shop offers comics, books, original souvenirs, and gift ideas related to Duckburg.
Historical Information
Erika Fuchs, born in 1906 in Rostock, was a doctoral art historian and later became the editor-in-chief of the Micky Mouse magazine. She lived in Schwarzenbach an der Saale for over 50 years. Starting in 1951, she became the first editor-in-chief to translate Disney comics, shaping generations of German-speaking readers.
With her linguistic wit, the famous "Erikativ" (e.g., grübel, ächz, seufz), and numerous quotes from literature and daily life, she turned the colorful magazines into small works of art. She even moved Duckburg to the Fichtelgebirge, immortalizing local places and personalities in the stories. Well into her old age, she gave Donald, Scrooge McDuck, and others their distinctive voices and received numerous awards for her linguistic achievements.
How to get there
The Erika Fuchs House is located in the center of Schwarzenbach an der Saale in Upper Franconia, about 15 kilometers south of Hof. If you're traveling by car, the best way to reach Schwarzenbach is via the A9 (exit Hof-West or Münchberg-Nord), then take B289 directly into the town. There are five parking spaces available directly opposite the museum on Bahnhofstraße, at the Reiffenberger parking lot.
Public transportation is also straightforward: Schwarzenbach an der Saale train station is easily accessible and just a few minutes' walk from the museum. Alternatively, buses stop at Bahnhofsplatz or at the "Rathaus" station. From there, barrier-free paths lead over the Saalebrücke or through the Old Town directly to the museum (approximately 300 meters). A bike rack is available at the museum for cyclists.
The museum is designed to be barrier-free and is easily accessible for wheelchair users.