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Exploring Hamburg's Speicherstadt
Discover this historic warehouse district on the Elbe river
Hamburg's Speicherstadt is the world's largest historic warehouse complex. It has been protected by its inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 2015.
The Speicherstadt was built between 1883 and 1927 south of the Hamburg's old town on the former Elbe islands and in the poorer residential quarters of Kehrwieder and Wandrahm.
The Speicherstadt in Hamburg
Towards the end of the 19th century, Hamburg was considered to be part of the freshly-founded German Empire. However it held on to a special position (like Bremen) because it had a history of being a member of the Hanseatic League and a Free Imperial City, as well as a major port for global trade.
Part of those special conditions for membership in the German Empire was that Hamburg retained its ability to act as a free port (in other words, with no customs duties) .
The Speicherstadt provided increased storage facilities for goods arriving by ship, especially problematic items such as coffee or oriental rugs, which needed special handling.
Construction of Hamburg's free port took part in three phases, the first of which was completed in 1888. More than 20,000 former inhabitants of the areas were forced to make way for the new warehouses.
The 'Wasserschloss' in the Hamburg Speicherstadt
Many of the impressive neo-Gothic brick buildings in this new development were built on oak pilings (a little like Venice) driven into the marshy ground. The area was connected by canals, with the facades of the 300 warehouse buildings facing onto the water, and bridges, which connected the various areas of the Speicherstadt.
Around half of the Speicherstadt was destroyed in the firestorms that followed the aerial bombing of Hamburg in World War II. Some of it was later rebuilt using the former architectural style, while part of it was devoted to the new Hanseatic Trade Centre.
The growth in container shipping led to the Speicherstadt being removed from the free port in the early 2000s - the free port was finally dissolved altogether in 2013 - and the Speicherstadt is now part of the redevelopment of the HafenCity area in the Hamburg-Mitte district.
The World Heritage site includes the Speicherstadt and the neighbouring Kontorhaus district.
What to see in the Speicherstadt
It's not all about the past in the Speicherstadt, although there are reminders of the history of the area in several museums in the HafenCity district.
Mixed in with the historic warehouses, you'll find modern architectural masterpieces like the Elbphilharmonie Concert Hall within its boundaries.
The Speicherstadt is also home to the Miniatur Wunderland, the world’s largest model railway, and the popular Hamburg Dungeon.
Museums in the Speicherstadt
Speicherstadt Museum
Am Sandtorkai 36
The Speicherstadt Museum is located opposite the Hamburg Dungeon and the Miniatur Wonderland attractions on Sandtorkai. The displays cover the construction and the trading history of the area, as well as the importance of coffee importation for the Speicherstadt.
The museum is open seven days a week throughout the year.
Museum website:
www.speicherstadtmuseum.de
International Maritime Museum
Koreastrasse 1
Although strictly speaking it is not in the Speicherstadt, the museum is just over a bridge in the HafenCity and covers a multitude of seafaring aspects over the ten floors of displays.
The museum is open seven days a week throughout the year.
Museum website:
www.imm-hamburg.de
German Customs Museum
Alter Wandrahm 16
The German Customs Museum ('Deutsches Zollmuseum') includes displays about the history of customs duties, the work of customs officials and the former customs vessel moored in front of the building.
The museum is closed on Mondays.
Museum website:
www.zoll.de
Coffee Museum
St. Annenufer 2
The Coffee Museum Burg is located in the cellars of the Burg coffee roasters and cafe. The location has been used for specialist coffee storage since the end of the 19th century.
The museum is closed on Mondays.
Museum website:
kaffeemuseum-burg.de
Other attractions near the Speicherstadt
Elbphilharmonie Concert Hall
Platz der Deutschen Einheit 4
The Elbphilharmonie is a stunning venue for performances built on the site of a former warehouse in 2017. The design of the concert hall adds a wave-like upper section to the lower warehouse block. It also houses a hotel and several restaurants, as well as the Plaza, a public viewing area that offers a great view of Hamburg and the Elbe river.
Website:
www.elbphilharmonie.de
Wasserschloss
Dienerreihe 4
The Wasserschloss (literally 'castle on the water') is a historic building which once served as housing for the specialised warehouse workers who operated the winches. These days the ground floor is home to a tea handler and shop, which offers 'high tea' in the afternoons.
Website:
wasserschloss.de
Miniatur Wunderland
Kehrwieder 2
The Miniatur Wunderland ('Miniature Wonderland') houses the largest model railway exhibition in the world. Opened in 2001, the exhibition covers 1600 square metres, with 16 kilometres of train tracks and over 1000 trains.
Website:
www.miniatur-wunderland.com
Hamburg Dungeon
Kehrwieder 2
The Hamburg Dungeon is like a cross between a haunted house, a chamber of horrors and a theatre. It is part of a chain of 'dungeons' in various cities around the world, which concentrate on the more gruesome aspects of the city history.
Website:
www.thedungeons.com
Where to stay near the Speicherstadt
The Westin Hamburg
Platz der Deutschen Einheit 2
20457 Hamburg
Hotel website:
www.marriott.com
* Located in the same building as the Elbphilharmonie
* Fabulous views of the harbour and the city
* Extensive fitness and spa area
"An amazing property- the room was lovely, the view is outstanding"
Ameron Hamburg Hotel Speicherstadt
Am Sandtorkai 4
20457 Hamburg
Hotel website:
ameroncollection.com
* Ideal location in the Speicherstadt
* Combines traditional warehouse design with modern touches
* Remarkable views from the 7th floor gym and spa area
"Modern gem of a hotel in the heart of Speicherstadt"
Pierdrei Hotel HafenCity
Am Sandtorkai 46
20457 Hamburg
Hotel website:
www.pierdrei-hotel.de
* Lively bar and restaurant
* Special children's area in hotel
* Own stage for music and theatre
"Perfect location to explore the city on foot!"
25hours Hotel Hamburg Altes Hafenamt
Überseeallee 5
20457 Hamburg
Hotel website:
www.25hours-hotels.com
* Housed in an old port authority building
* Convenient location for HafenCity and Speicherstadt
* Hotel's Neni restaurant offers Mediterranean cuisine
"Very stylish, cosy and comfortable."
25hours Hotel Hamburg HafenCity
Überseeallee 5
20457 Hamburg
Hotel website:
www.25hours-hotels.com
* Decor reflects the harbour history of the area
* Convenient location for HafenCity and Speicherstadt
* Hotel's Heimat restaurant offers German regioinal cuisine
"Very modern & stylishly furnished with great attention to detail."
Accommodation map for the Speicherstadt area
If you know when you are planning to go but haven't decided on accommodation, then use the map below to get an idea of which properties are available and to compare prices during the period you wish to travel.
Enter your proposed dates and use the '+' to zoom in on a location and reveal more properties. Click on the price above a property to see more information.
(Please note that this selection will also include some guesthouses, pensions and self-catering apartments for those who are interested in that form of accommodation!)
