Museum für Hamburgische Geschichte
City history museum on Holstenwall covering Hamburg's development from the Middle Ages to the present – closed for modernization, expected until the end of 2028.
About the museum
The museum's roots go back to 1839, when the Verein für Hamburgische Geschichte (Society for Hamburg History) began collecting evidence of the city's past. In 1908 this collection became the basis of the state-run Museum für Hamburgische Geschichte. Its first director, Otto Lauffer, led it for almost four decades and shaped the collection and exhibition concept.
The museum building on Holstenwall was designed by chief city architect Fritz Schumacher and built between 1914 and 1922 on the site of the former Bastion Henricus of the Baroque city fortifications. Schumacher incorporated architectural elements from demolished Hamburg buildings into the brick architecture, such as the south portal of the old Petrikirche in the inner courtyard. Since 1989 this courtyard has been spanned by a glass roof designed by the firm von Gerkan, Marg und Partner. Since 2008 the museum has been part of the Stiftung Historische Museen Hamburg; for a time it operated under the brand “hamburgmuseum”.
The collection comprises more than 500,000 objects – from medieval finds such as an Ulfberht sword to ship models, historic living rooms and testimonies of Jewish life, through to 20th-century fashion, music and club culture. A major crowd-puller was the large model railway layout in 1:32 scale.
The museum has been completely closed since early 2024. For around €101 million, funded by the city of Hamburg and the federal government, the building and its technical systems are being renovated and the permanent exhibition redeveloped. Plans include a chronological and thematic tour through the city's history, new spaces for special exhibitions and education, improved accessibility and an opening toward the Planten un Blomen park. Completion is planned for the end of 2028.
Highlights
- Ulfberht sword from the late 10th or early 11th century
- Stock exchange lion of 1558 and emperor figures from Hamburg's old city hall
- South portal of the Petrikirche in the glass-roofed inner courtyard
- Large model railway layout in 1:32 scale
- Pop culture objects such as a bar stool from the Star-Club
- Founded
- 1908
- Operated by
- Stiftung Historische Museen Hamburg
- Director
- Prof. Bettina Probst
Admission & discounts
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- 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
After the modernization, a new elevator is to provide accessible access to the upper floors, and an accessible guidance and orientation system is to lead visitors through the building.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
St. Pauli
U3 to St. Pauli (right at the museum)
Amenities & dining
Before the closure there was a café on the ground floor. After the modernization, a museum shop and a restaurant with an expanded terrace facing the Planten un Blomen park are planned.
Events & venue rental
As far as we know, the museum does not rent out spaces for external events.
No rentals during the renovation. The Stiftung Historische Museen Hamburg currently only offers rooms at the Museum der Arbeit; before the closure, the museum's glass-roofed inner courtyard was a popular event venue.
