Enjoy a journey through 3,000 years of seafaring history and hear tales of adventure on the high seas at the International Maritime Museum Hamburg. A massive 36,000 square feet (11,000 square meters) of exhibition space over 10 stories are filled with tens of thousands of models and construction plans, millions of photographs, maritime devices, uniforms and other objects. It’s a treasure trove for those who love all things nautical.
There’s a lot to observe, so wear comfortable walking shoes. Make the tour easier by taking the elevator to the top floor and working your way down through the various displays. There are some story boards with information in English, but to hear all of the stories you can purchase an audio guide.
Some notable areas of the exhibition consist of naval and marine-themed paintings and prints. You’ll also find weapons, uniforms and model ships made of whale bones and ivory.
The museum houses thousands of books, atlases, films and various documents. Many of them are on display, but more can be scrutinized in the museum’s archives. The archives contain 47 original letters written by Lord Horatio Nelson, famous for his victory at the Battle of Trafalgar, and around 15,000 cruise ship restaurant menus.
The museum’s many exhibits came from the private collection of Professor Peter Tamm, a German journalist and the former CEO of the Axel-Springer company. Tamm started his collection at just six years old with his first model ship and today it’s the world’s largest privately owned collection of maritime memorabilia.
This vast collection is housed in a converted red brick former warehouse building in the HafenCity quarter. International Maritime Museum Hamburg is open every day except Mondays. There’s a fee to enter. Take public transportation to the U-bahn station Überseequartier. Parking is available nearby at Parkhaus Überseequartier.
