If you have ever wondered where Audi truly came from, the August Horch Museum in Zwickau holds the answer — and tells the story with remarkable authenticity. Opened in 2004, this automobile museum is housed in the very factory where August Horch founded Audi Automobilwerke GmbH back in 1910, making every exhibit feel genuinely rooted in its place.

The atmosphere inside is wonderfully layered — industrial brick and steel surroundings frame a journey through over a century of automotive history. You move from the pioneering early cars of Horch and Audi, through the formation of the legendary Auto Union consortium in 1932, then into the surprising Cold War chapter when these same halls were linked to the production of the iconic Trabant under the GDR. The story ends with the rebirth of the site under Volkswagen ownership, connecting past and present in a satisfying arc. The museum is open year-round, making it a great option whatever the season or weather outside.

• Zwickau city centre — easily reachable by car or public transport, parking available nearby; visit difficulty: easy, suitable for all ages and families

• Opened in 2004
• Operated by a non-profit company owned equally by Audi AG and the city of Zwickau
• Covers the full history from Horch and Audi through Auto Union, the Trabant era, and Volkswagen's involvement

Here is a detail worth savouring: after World War II the company relocated to Ingolstadt — and that is exactly where today's Audi AG is still headquartered. Standing in this museum, you are quite literally at the origin of one of the world's most famous car brands.