THE SPEICHERSTADT CITY
A historic quarter in the Port of Hamburg
Brick and history: Hamburg's Speicherstadt
The Speicherstadt, a fascinating ensemble of red brick buildings, narrow canals and historic bridges, is one of Hamburg’s landmarks and attracts millions of visitors every year. Once the hub of the global trade in goods, today it tells stories of merchants, exotic goods and a bygone era. Let’s delve into the history of this unique place.
Origin in the 19th century
In the late 19th century, Hamburg experienced an enormous economic boom. Trade was booming, and the city’s storage capacity was no longer sufficient. To counter this problem, a new warehouse complex was built on a group of islands in the Elbe between 1883 and 1927: the Speicherstadt. However, 20,000 Hamburg residents who had previously lived on the Elbe islands of Kehrwieder and Wandrahm had to give up their living space. Many of them were dockers, but there were also merchants. The impressive buildings were erected on oak piles and provided space for goods from all over the world, including coffee, tea, spices and carpets. The first phase of construction was completed in 1888 and the Speicherstadt inaugurated by Kaiser Wilhelm II. A total of three construction phases were necessary before the brick ensemble was finally completed in 1927.
A centre of global trade
The Speicherstadt quickly developed into an important transhipment centre for international trade. Ships from all over the world brought their goods to the warehouses, where they were checked, sorted and processed. Cranes hoisted heavy sacks and crates, and the canals were busy with small launches and barges transporting goods. The scent of exotic spices filled the air and Speicherstadt pulsated with life.
Decline and rebirth
After the Second World War, trade routes changed and the Speicherstadt lost its importance. Many warehouses stood empty and fell into disrepair. But in the 1990s, efforts were made to revitalise the historic district. The old warehouses were restored and converted into modern offices, apartments, museums and restaurants.
The Speicherstadt today
Today, the Speicherstadt is a popular tourist destination and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2015. Visitors can enjoy the historic atmosphere, stroll through the narrow streets, admire the impressive architecture or visit one of the numerous attractions such as the ‘Hamburg Dungeon’ or the ‘Opolum’ escape room. The Spicy Spice Museum can also be found here. A boat trip through the canals also offers a unique perspective of the Speicherstadt and its imposing buildings.
The Speicherstadt is a living monument to Hamburg’s history and a fascinating example of the transformation of a historic place. It is a reminder of Hamburg’s glorious past as a trading centre and at the same time a symbol of the city’s dynamic development.
Contact / connection
- Red Double-Decker
- Stop 2, Am Kaiserkai
- HVV
- Underground: U3 Baumwall
- S-Bahn
- S1, S2, S3 Landungsbrücken
- Address: Speicherstadt Hamburg, between Baumwall and Überseequartier, 20457 Hamburg-Altstadt
- Mail: info@speicherstadtmuseum.de
- Internet (Speicherstadtmuseum):https://speicherstadtmuseum.de/