Gipsabgusssammlung der Universität Hamburg

About the museum

The roots of the collection go back to the 19th century: when Hamburg opened its first Kunsthalle in 1852, plaster casts of sculptures from antiquity, the Middle Ages and modern times were gathered there for about fifty years to illustrate the development of art. In the early 20th century, new acquisitions were limited to ancient works following a changed exhibition concept.

After the Second World War, the casts remained in the storerooms of the Kunsthalle and were not accessible for a long time. Only in the early 1980s were they brought out again, and they passed into the possession of the Archaeological Institute of the University of Hamburg. Since 1992, the collection has been housed in the rooms of a former bakery on Grindelallee and is open to interested visitors.

Today the holdings comprise about 180 casts of ancient sculptures, reliefs, portraits and terracottas, from Greek Archaic through Classical and Hellenistic periods into the Roman Imperial era; the emphasis is on Classical and Hellenistic sculpture. Because the originals are spread across major museums around the world, works can be viewed side by side here that cannot be seen together anywhere else. The collection is looked after by the Institute of Archaeology and Cultural History of the Ancient Mediterranean World.

Highlights

• Around 180 casts from the Archaic period to the Roman Imperial era
• Famous works such as the Kassel Apollo (Kasseler Apoll) and Athena Lemnia
• Greek architectural sculpture and Roman imperial portraits
• Regular tours as part of the semester program
• Online 3D gallery of the casts

Permanent exhibition

• Gipsabgüsse antiker Skulpturen – Around 180 casts of Greek and Roman sculptures, reliefs, portraits and terracottas, whose originals are spread across many museums.

Operated by

Universität Hamburg – Institut für Archäologie und Kulturgeschichte des antiken Mittelmeerraumes

Admission & discounts

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: not available
• 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

The entrance and exhibition room are not accessible.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Occasionally tours for children accompanied by adults (e.g., November 22, 2026) and a children's program on the #seeforfree action day.

Getting there & parking

From Grindelallee, turn into Fröbelstraße at the former Heine bookshop; the entrance is a few meters past the parcel station on the left (rear entrance of the building).

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit