U-434

About the museum

The boat was built in just eight months in 1975/76 at the Krasnoye Sormovo shipyard in Gorky (today Nizhny Novgorod) as a unit of Project 641B, which NATO called the Tango class. Designated B-515, it served for about 25 years in the Soviet and later Russian Northern Fleet, including on patrols in the Mediterranean and on reconnaissance missions.

The idea for the museum came from Hamburg resident Christian Angermann after the sinking of the Kursk in 2000. Together with Joachim Wagner, he negotiated in Russia to acquire a decommissioned boat; in 2002 U-434 was taken out of service, demilitarized and towed from Murmansk to Hamburg in August 2002.

At Blohm + Voss the hull was fitted with entrances and exits for visitors, while the interior was largely preserved. The museum submarine was first moored in HafenCity; since April 2010 it has been berthed at the St. Pauli Fischmarkt, about 500 meters west of the Landungsbrücken.

Today visitors walk through the torpedo room, officers' mess, crew quarters and engine rooms and get a sense of how cramped life on board was; the control room is only accessible on guided tours.

Highlights

• One of the largest conventionally powered submarines of its time (over 90 m long)
• Torpedo room with six bow tubes
• Control room (guided tours only)
• Officers' mess, which also served as an emergency operating room
• Diesel and electric engine rooms in original condition

Founded

2002

Operated by

U-Bootmuseum Hamburg GmbH

Director

Christian Angermann, Joachim Wagner (Geschäftsführung)

Admission & discounts

Tickets only at the box office (cash or debit card), no online sales; gift vouchers available online.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: not available
• 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

Due to narrow hatches, steps and low ceilings, not suitable for wheelchair users, people using walking aids, people with severe visual impairments or claustrophobia. According to the visitor rules, no animals are allowed on board (assistance dogs are not specifically addressed).

Kids & families

Only partly suitable for kids

• Stroller-friendly: not available

Cramped boat with low ceilings, hatches, bulkheads and steps; increased risk of slipping and tripping. Children under 10 only when accompanied by an adult; free admission up to age 5.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available
• Coat check: not available
• Lockers: not available

Large bags and bulky items are not allowed on the boat; no storage is offered.

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit