International Maritime Museum, Hamburg, Germany
Date Visited: June 30, 2017
Time Spent: 3.5 hours
Collection: Everything related to maritime history
Do you like boats?! Do you often channel The Captain from How I Met Your Mother? Do you like exclaiming "Boats! Boats! Boats!"?! Then the International Maritime Museum in Hamburg, Germany will feel like a second home to you.
With 9 floors, the museum covers over 3000 years of maritime history and modern research. Even if you aren't the biggest fan of nautical history, there is bound to be a level in this building that catches your attention. Careful, you just might start saying Ahoy when answering the phone.
The museum is located in one of the most beautiful areas in Hamburg, and you have to cross water to get it it, very fitting. It is the oldest remaining warehouse building in the city and it built out of the famous red brick of Hamburg's Speicherstadt.
I visited on a rainy day, which made it feel like I really was at sea. Once past the ticket counter, one feels as if they've entered something fit for a royal collection. Grand staircases and ship models of years past greet you. Maybe it's also because the Royals themselves have recently visited the museum that I felt this way, or because I've always wanted to be part of a yacht club... but you'll definitely feel the vibe.
Avast, me hearties!
As stated before, there is something for everybody! From weapons, paintings, uniforms, to a floor about maritime sea life and the future of our planet. There are even activities for children, as on some days you can try your hand at a ship simulator, play with ropes, or even learn to send messages with naval flags. (Yes, even adults can have fun with this too). I'll leave the rest of the exploring up to you. Some things need to remain a surprise.
Somethin' 'bout that fresh rope smell...
The museum also puts on special exhibits, again directly related to the collection. The main event during my visit was East Meets West- The Maritime Silk Road. This was a collection from China, and played an amazing counterpart to the mostly European collection (though other cultures are also represented in the permanent collection).
With over 50 museums to explore in Hamburg, it's hard to decide which ones to cram in to a visit. With Hamburg's immense maritime history, known as the Gateway to the World, the International Maritime Museum should without a doubt be on your list to fully get the total Hamburg experience.
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