Walk-in elephant sculpture of steel and glass in Hamm's Maximilianpark with an observation deck, kinetic art objects, and changing exhibitions.
6. september 2026 – 1. november 2026
For the city's anniversary, former miner Jürgen Post digitally transforms Hamm landmarks such as the Zeche Radbod mine, the train station, and the city harbor into glowing, surreal-looking worlds of color.
The Glaselefant (Glass Elephant) is the landmark of the city of Hamm – an artwork, viewpoint, and exhibition venue all in one. It was created for North Rhine-Westphalia's first state garden show in 1984 on the site of the decommissioned Zeche Maximilian coal mine. The idea came from the artist and architect Horst Rellecke, who in 1981, while walking around the future garden show grounds, recognized the outline of an elephant in the old coal washery from 1902.
In 1983 and 1984, the industrial building was reshaped with a greenhouse-style structure of steel and glass. The result was an elephant about 35 meters tall with seven-meter-long tusks; an elevator runs inside the glass trunk, and an emergency staircase runs through the tail. The structure is considered the largest animal-shaped building and has therefore been included in the Guinness Book of Records.
The head houses a palm garden in which Rellecke installed ten kinetic art objects, some of which visitors can set in motion themselves using a control panel. An observation deck at a height of 29 meters offers a wide view over the park, the city, and the surrounding countryside. At night, the elephant is illuminated with colored LED modules.
Today the Glaselefant is part of the Maximilianpark, run by the municipal company Maximilianpark Hamm GmbH. Annually changing art and photography exhibitions are held inside; it also serves as an event venue with a wedding room and a seminar room.
| Voksne | 7 € |
|---|---|
| Nedsat pris | 5 €School students, university students, and apprentices aged 18 to 24, people with severe disabilities (marker B, G, or H), recipients of Bürgergeld (basic income support), refugees |
| Børn og unge | 4 €gratis til og med 2 år · Children aged 3 to 17 €4 (reduced €2.50); under 3 free |
| Pensionister | –No senior discount listed |
| Personer med handicap | 5 €ledsager gratis · Reduced admission with marker B, G, or H; one companion free with marker B or H |
| Studerende og elever | 5 €Ages 18 to 24 with proof |
| Grupper (fra 20 pers.) | 6 € pr. personAdult groups of 20 or more; children's groups of 10 or more €3.50 (one accompanying adult free per 10 paying children); school classes and daycare groups €5 per child including the butterfly house |
| Familier | 14 €Small family (one parent or grandparent and up to three children) €14, large family (two adults and up to three children) €19, each additional child €3.50 |
| Large family ticket | 19 €Two parents or grandparents and up to three children |
| Evening ticket (from 18:00) | 3 €Children €2; according to the price list, valid until September 2026 |
| Annual pass | 40 €Children €17, school students/university students/apprentices aged 18–24 €29, small family €45, large family €69 |
| Butterfly house surcharge | 3 €Children €2; in addition to park admission, seasonal operation |
The Glaselefant is accessible with the day ticket for the Maximilianpark; no separate admission is charged. Higher prices may apply during special events such as the Herbstleuchten. A low-priced winter ticket applies in winter.
Glass elevator in the trunk to the observation deck and the palm garden. The operator provides no further information on accessibility.
Velegnet til børn og familier
| Entré for børn | gratis til og med 2 år |
|---|---|
| Familiebillet | 14 € · Small family (one parent or grandparent and up to three children) €14, large family (two adults and up to three children) €19, each additional child €3.50 |
In the Palmengarten, visitors can operate nine movable art objects themselves via a control panel; Maximilianpark has nine play areas, including a water playground, a pirate ship, and a toddler climbing course.
Maximilianpark
Bus lines 1, 3, 5, 6, and 13 from Hamm Hauptbahnhof to the “Maximilianpark” stop (every 15 minutes on weekdays, every 30 minutes on weekends).
Gratis parkering
Free parking at the park: main parking lot at the roundabout behind the Datteln-Hamm Canal, more on Karl-Koßmann-Straße (ice rink) and in front of the main entrance.
By car via the A2, exit Hamm-Uentrop. The city bus loop line begins and ends at Maximilianpark.
Planlæg ruteDining in Maximilianpark (Maxi-Gastro); the park also has a butterfly house.
The Glaselefant has a wedding room and a seminar room; an overnight stay in the Glaselefant can also be booked. Other venues in the park: Elektrozentrale, Werkstatthalle, Maximilianhalle.
Forespørgsel & detaljer| Godt at vide | Some of the art objects in the palm garden can be set in motion using a control panel. |
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