BallinStadt

Current exhibitions

About the museum

Around 1900, millions of people from Eastern and Central Europe traveled overseas via Hamburg. Albert Ballin, general director of the HAPAG shipping line, therefore had the emigrant halls built on the Veddel in 1901: an enclosed complex with dormitories and dining halls, where travelers were housed, fed and inspected until their departure. Shortly before World War I, more than 170,000 people passed through the site every year.

After World War I, emigration declined sharply. In 1934 the City of Hamburg took over the complex; from 1939 the buildings were gradually demolished, and the last remains disappeared in 2004.

In July 2007 the emigration museum BallinStadt opened on the historic site, operated by Betriebsgesellschaft BallinStadt mbH in partnership with the city. After an expansion, a redesigned permanent exhibition covering around 2,500 square meters followed in May 2016.

House 1 tells the story of the emigrant halls and their founder, while House 2 traces migration movements over several centuries through personal life stories in 14 themed rooms. House 3 holds special exhibitions, a room on Albert Ballin, the restaurant and a family research center where visitors can search the Hamburg passenger lists for emigrant ancestors, among other things.

Highlights

• Permanent exhibition “Hafen der Träume” on the historic emigrant halls
• “Welt in Bewegung”: the history of migration in 14 themed rooms
• Family research center with access to the Hamburg passenger lists
• Exhibition room on the shipping magnate Albert Ballin
• Restaurant “Nach Amerika” with replicas of the tables and benches from 1910

Permanent exhibitions

• Hafen der Träume – House 1 describes the creation and everyday life of the emigrant halls on the Veddel as well as the life of their founder, Albert Ballin.
• Welt in Bewegung – In 14 themed rooms, House 2 shows the causes, routes and consequences of migration over several centuries, accompanied by personal biographies and interactive stations.

Founded

2007

Operated by

Betriebsgesellschaft BallinStadt mbH

Director

Volker Reimers

Admission & discounts

Reduced, group and family prices cannot be combined with other discounts. Tickets online or at the ticket desk.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description: no information

According to hamburg.de, built to be wheelchair-accessible; entrance and all floors are step-free. Wheelchair-accessible restrooms in House 1 and House 3. Information in Easy Language (Leichte Sprache) on the website.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Kids’ birthday parties

Children's quiz trail with the mascot Jette (ages 5–10, 10 stations with audio, pictures and small installations) and the digital game “SIMMIGRANT” (ages 9–14). Children's birthday parties with a playful guided tour and a set table in the restaurant. Family and small family tickets.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant
• Museum shop

Restaurant “Nach Amerika” with terrace (Tue–Sun 11:30–18:00, in winter until 16:30; reservations +49 40 3197916-26). Museum shop in House 3.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 250 guests.

Foyer with adjoining rooms (banquet or conference for up to 250 people), restaurant (up to 120), courtyard (up to 90), large seminar room (up to 80) and outdoor areas for tents; weddings, conferences, family, summer and Christmas parties.

Plan your visit