Elbschifffahrtsmuseum

About the museum

The museum goes back to a municipal collection of the 1920s and was expanded in 1960 into a supraregional museum of Elbe river shipping. It shows how shipbuilding and navigation on the river between Bohemia and Hamburg developed over roughly a thousand years – from the simple watercraft to the motorized cargo ship.

The museum is housed in the listed former town hall on Elbstraße in Lauenburg's lower town. In 2010 and 2011 it underwent comprehensive renovation; since then a new connecting building links the historic parts of the building.

The present exhibition "Mensch – Modell – Maschine" (Human – Model – Machine) extends over three floors and puts the focus on the people who designed, built, and sailed ships: raftsmen, deckhands, ship cooks, shipowners. Life-size 3D photos, hands-on stations, and digitally enhanced ship models make working and living conditions vivid.

A special feature is the collection of steam engines and diesel engines in the vaulted cellar, which is also demonstrated in motion on tours. The sponsor is the town of Lauenburg/Elbe; a friends' association supports the museum and operates the historic paddle steamer "Kaiser Wilhelm."

Highlights

• "Treasury of Ship Propulsion" with steam engines and diesel engines in the vaulted cellar
• Interactive exhibition "Mensch – Modell – Maschine" on three floors
• Ship models in large display cases with screens on use and technology
• Life-size 3D photos of raftsmen, deckhands, and shipowners
• Historic paddle steamer "Kaiser Wilhelm" of 1900 very nearby

Permanent exhibitions

• Mensch – Modell – Maschine – Interactive exhibition over three floors on the history of shipbuilding and Elbe river shipping from the perspective of the people who worked on and with the ships.
• Schatzkammer der Schiffsantriebe – In the vaulted cellar, the museum shows steam engines and diesel engines of various designs and thus the mechanization of shipping.

Founded

1927

Operated by

Stadt Lauenburg/Elbe

Director

Dr. Jörn Bohlmann

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

• Partially 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: no information
• Audio description: no information

Accessible access and accessible restroom; checked under "Reisen für Alle" and classified as partially accessible for people with walking disabilities.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities

Models and do-it-yourself experiment stations, life-size 3D figures that speak to visitors; baby changing room in the building.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Plan your visit