Why Hamburg is what it is. If you want to know how the mission fort Hammaburg became the proud Hanseatic city and the proverbial gateway to the world, then the Museum of Hamburg History is the right place for you.
The Museum of Hamburg History was built in 1908 by Fritz Schumacher, the important Hamburg architect and senior building director, on the site of the former Henricus Bastion, part of the baroque fortress complex built between 1616 and 1625 by the Dutchman Jan van Valckenborgh, which made the city impregnable. Opened in 1922 at Holstenwall, the museum building is today one of the largest museums of urban history in Germany. The impressive brick building now has a glass roof to cover the inner courtyard. The extensive collection ranges from the beginnings of Hamburg around 800 to the present day.
From piracy in Hamburg and its development into a modern metropolis
The exhibitions on 1,000 square metres document the changes in Hamburg with a love of detail. The extensive collection on the history of the city ranges from the beginnings of Hamburg around 800 to the present day. Here the visitor learns everything worth knowing about the pirates of the 14th and 15th centuries, the development into a modern metropolis and one of the most important port cities in Europe.
The highlight of the museum is the so-called Störtebeker skull. The 600-year-old skull was discovered in 1878 during the construction of the Speicherstadt on Grasbrook. The head is attributed to the pirate leader Klaus Störtebeker.
About shipping, the port of Hamburg, emigration and more
Numerous exhibitions on the main themes of shipping, port and emigration via Hamburg as well as the department "Jews in Hamburg" present Hamburg's history comprehensively.
But apart from the important exhibits of the last 1200 years, the museum also offers numerous special exhibitions, museum festivals, events and Hamburg's largest model railway in track 1. With its covered inner courtyard, the museum is one of Hamburg's most beautiful venues.
Hamburg CARD Discount
- Adults 6,00 € instead of 9,50 €; Savings 3,50 €
- Children (0-18 yrs.): free of charge
Short & Sweet
- This much time must be 2 to 3 hours
- Only here is the city of Hamburg's multifaceted development history from its beginnings around 800 until the present day
- How to get there Take the underground to St. Pauli (5 min. walk), take the bus to the Museum of Hamburg History (1 min. walk).
- Gastronomy "Bastion" Bistro in the building
- Near Reeperbahn, St. Michaelis Church, Wallanlagen
- Tip Free admission for children and young people under the age of 18
