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Museum · Astorga, Castela e Leão
Museo del Chocolate
Museum about Astorga's chocolate industry, which once had dozens of factories, with machines, utensils, labels and vintage posters, and a tasting at the end.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Museo del Chocolate
Astorga seems an unlikely place for chocolate, far from the sea and ports, but the town had one of Spain's largest chocolate industries. The maragatos, muleteers who traveled between Galicia and the country's center, helped bring cacao, and between the mid-19th century and the early 20th Astorga had dozens of factories. Some still operate.
The Museu do Chocolate began as the collection of a local merchant, José Luis López García, who gathered machines, utensils, labels and posters, and opened it to the public in 1994. Today it operates in a modernist townhouse from the early 20th century, near the station.
The visit shows the history of cacao, from American plantations to its arrival in Europe, the manufacturing process, with old mills, presses and molds, and a collection of packaging and advertising posters of the town's brands, with artwork that tells the history of advertising in the 20th century.
At the end, the visit usually includes a chocolate tasting. In the shops in town, the remaining factories sell bars and bonbons.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
30 to 45 minutes.
Best time
In the afternoon, after lunch, or on a rainy day. Check opening days and times before you go.
How to get there
It's on the avenida da Estação, between the old town and the train station, about a 5-minute walk from each.
Tip
Finish the walk in one of the town's pastry shops with hot chocolate and mantecadas, Astorga's typical snack.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Museo del Chocolate
Why does Astorga have a chocolate museum?
Because the town had dozens of chocolate factories from the mid-19th century to the early 20th. Some still operate.
What to see at the Museu do Chocolate?
Old manufacturing machines and tools, labels, packaging and advertising posters from the town's brands.
Where is the Museu do Chocolate located?
On the avenida da Estação, between the old town and the train station.