Museums, Hamburg

The landmark of the City of the 7 Spires! Beside the Brandenburg Gate, Cologne Cathedral and the Church of Our Lady in Munich, the Holsten Gate is the most famous German building in the world. The Holsten Gate became the proud symbol of Lübeck as a free imperial city. But it's not just the exterior that's a popular subject for photos. The "Holsten Gate Museum" is housed within the famous monument displaying the history of the Hanseatic League, trade, power and wealth. Ultimately, this is what formed the basis of the Lübeck merchants' success, which, in turn, influenced the importance of the medieval city. Visitors can discover the exhibition «The Power of Trade» together with historic ship models, suits of armour, weapons, legal instruments and articles of merchandise inside the building. http://www.luebeck-tourism.de/culture/museums/museum-holsten-gate.html

In the Buddenbrookhaus there is more to see than a still fascinating family or an unprecedented literary oeuvre. Even though Lübeck had a hard time with the poetry dynasty. In the 1920s, for example, the house sold by the Mann family in 1891 was initially a "Buddenbrook bookstore" and in the era of National Socialism the name of the novel had to give way. https://buddenbrookhaus.de/de/Museum/Museum

Take a visit to the Museum Harbour in Lübeck's Old Town and discover the Lisa of Lübeck and other historical traditional sailings vessels, it is also possible to sail with them, too. Centuries are tied up here. Behind the 100-year-old swing bridge, lies the home port with more than 20 seaworthy, traditional sailing ships. The old sailing ships were acquired and restored by lovers of traditional seafaring and are now berthed at the Untertrave against the picturesque backdrop of Lübeck's Old Town. The historical ships come to life when out on the Baltic Sea - why not take a trip! https://www.luebeck-tourism.de/discover/sights/museum-harbour.html

Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of merchants during the Middle Ages and experience the rise and fall of the erstwhile trading power. European history is brought to life in the Hansemuseum which provides the perfect setting for the phenomenon of the Hanseatic League. Nobody can deny that the Hanseatic League played a key role in German and European history and is still present in many people's minds today. Half a millennium passed from its rise as a trading power until its fall. The European Hansemuseum provides answers to many questions, such as how the Hanseatic League was able to survive over such a long period. Submerge yourself in the world and life during the era of the Hanseatic League and be a witness to oaths, diplomatic negotiations, piracy, trade boycotts, wars and the suffering during the great plague epidemic. https://www.luebeck-tourism.de/culture/museums/european-hansemuseum.html

The Landscape Museum Fishing - Unewatt is the Folklore Museum in Schleswig-Holstein, in which past and present can be experienced simultaneously. In the beautifully situated village Unewatt this museum takes place. http://www.museum-unewatt.de/museumsinsel.html

Paintings, sculptures, prints and media art from the past 600 years – Bremen's Kunsthalle is home to many styles of art.The Kunsthalle art gallery re-opened in summer 2011 after two years of renovation and the addition of two new wings. https://www.bremen-tourism.de/kunsthalle-bremen-art-museum

Bremen´s 'drawing room' is the Marktplatz, and its greatest attraction is the Town Hall. Guided tours of the historic building provide an insight into its fascinating 600-year history. The tour includes the impressive Upper Town Hall and a look into the splendid Golden Chamber. Since 2004, the Town Hall and the Roland have been inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List. https://www.bremen-tourism.de/bremen/offer/detail/DEU99999990039255330?lang=en

Celle is one of the most important residence cities in the state of Lower Saxony. For almost three centuries it was the permanent residence of the dukes of Brunswick-Lüneburg and therefore the seat of government in the most significant Guelphs principality. http://www.celle.travel/travel-tips/museums-in-celle/residence-museum.html

Small but nice and definitely worth a visit is the Shell Museum Hooksiel in the "Old Town Hall" of Hooksiel in the pedestrian zone in the Long Street. The collection of large and small shells and snails exhibited there is truly unique. http://ferienhausantje.de/muschelmuseum-hooksiel/

There are regular events in the Coastal Museum, such as the adult cultural café or the monthly children's event Lilli * Billi. http://www.kuestenmuseum.de/km/DE/index.php

The Museum August Kestner is named after August Kestner (1777-1853), who collected a considerable number of Egyptian and Greco-Roman cabaret as well as other works of art during his time as Hanoverian ambassador in Rome. The Museum August Kestner as the oldest municipal museum in the state capital of Hanover is enclosed by a listed glass-concrete façade (1961). Inside are still parts of the staircase and the side wings and almost the entire entrance facade of the original first museum building. As the only building in Hanover and far away, the Museum August Kestner shows 6000 years of applied art in four collection areas: Ancient and Egyptian cultures, applied art from the Middle Ages to modern design and one of the largest collections of coins and medals in northern Germany. Several special exhibitions per year also inform about special topics and place objects of the collection areas in a special context. https://www.hannover.de/Museum-August-Kestner/Das-Museum-August-Kestner

The Sprengel Museum Hannover, which focuses on German Expressionism and French Modernist painting, is one of the most important museums of 20th and 21st-century art. It was founded after the collection of Dr. Bernhard und Margrit Sprengel was donated to the City of Hanover in 1969. The new building was opened in 1979. Works by Max Ernst, Paul Klee, Emil Nolde, Pablo Picasso and Kurt Schwitters, as well as by groups of artists such as Die Brücke and the Blauer Reiter set the scene. Art after 1945 is represented in an impressive fashion by works by artists ranging from Gerhard Richter to Bruce Nauman. A special attraction are the rooms designed by artists, including the reconstruction of Kurt Schwitters’ legendary ‘Merzbau’, El Lissitzky’s ‘Abstract Cabinet’ and James Turrell’s light spaces. Particular emphasis in the collection is placed on photography. The Sprengel Museum Hannover unites the collections of modern art in what was formerly known as the Städtische Galerie and the Landesgalerie. http://alfredflechtheim.com/en/provenance-research/sprengel-museum-hannover/

The Museumsberg Flensburg with its two houses is one of the largest museums in Schleswig-Holstein. Since its founding in 1876, the Museum of Art and Cultural History of the former Duchy of Schleswig, whose northern half since 1920 belongs to Denmark. https://www.museumsberg-flensburg.de/de/

Flensburg is a historic seaport and trading post. The Flensburg maritime museum explains the maritime history of the city with all of its stories about the port and merchant courtyards, the ships and shipowners, and the machinists and captains as well as their typical day on board. These are stories from far-off lands as well as from the coast of the homeland. Stories from the Danish West Indies about sugar, rum and slavery. Stories from the firth about butter transporters and women who spoke the Petuh dialect. Stories from the shipyard about engineers, riveters and welders. The museum offers a rich experience for all of the senses. It features interactive, hands-on stations that require you to participate, watch, listen and marvel, making a visit to the museum a journey of discovery for sailors of all ages. Special exhibits, promotional days, holiday programmes, tours of the museum and the city, knot-tying courses, rum tastings, concerts, readings and presentations create a rich variety. Feel free to browse the museum gift shop and pass time in the Café. https://www.flensburger-foerde.de/en/experience-culture/museums/maritime-museum/

This nationwide well-known museum with the attached painting school is thanks to the founders Henri and Eske Nannen. The founder of STERN, Henri Nannen, opened a house for his collection in 1986 in his hometown of Emden, predominantly art of the Classical Modern Age. http://www.emden-touristik.de/themen/kunst-kultur/kunsthalle-emden.html

At the beginning of the 20th century, the building was planned and erected by the Viennese architect Friedrich Ohmann. Architectural elements were used to recall the splendour of Renaissance and Gothic style. The Magdeburg Cultural History Museum was opened in 1906 and its first director Theodor Volbehr (1862-1931) took over many art and craft collections from various societies and from the city which were exhibited in the centre of the museum as the most important witnesses to Magdeburg's rich past. http://www.magdeburg-tourist.de/Start/Tourism-Leisure/Culture/Museums/index.php?La=2&NavID=115.10&object=tx|37.6876.1&ModID=9&FID=37.477.2

Kunsthalle Bielefeld, designed by New York architect Philip Johnson and opened in 1968 as a museum and exhibition centre for international 20th century art, is a crowd-puller and one of the city’s landmarks. The famous cube-shaped modern building of red sandstone is also part of the architectural route ”Museum & Architektur”. https://www.bielefeld.de/en/attractions/museums/

Experience a historic time when you visit the Old Town Hall in Ribe, take a guided tour around in the historic rooms and listen to the horrendous stories! Ribe’s old Town Hall was built before 1496, and has been used as the town’s city hall from 1708 until 2007, when the last town councillor meeting was held. On the walls in old Commoner’s hall hang a collection of portraits of vassals and councillors from 1600-1900. The former debtors prison has been converted to a museum about the laws and statutes in Ribe. Stories are told about town halls, town gates and commerce. Here, you can see the town’s seal, standard dimensions, drinking cup, law book, and spiked mace, thumb screws and more. https://www.visitdenmark.nl/denemarken/reis-plannen/det-gamle-radhus-gdk610602

The Regional Museum Neubrandenburg (founded in 1872) is one of the oldest civic museums in Mecklenburg Western-Pomerania. At two close-by locations in the western part of the centre the visitor will see exhibitions about the history of Neubrandenburg and environment which are complemented by changing special exhibitions about different themes. https://www.neubrandenburg-touristinfo.de/en/culture/regionalmuseum

The construction of Koldinghus started in 1268, when the Danish king wanted a castle that could guard the border between the Kingdom of Denmark and the Duchy of Schleswig. http://www.visitkolding.dk/ln-int/museum-koldinghus-gdk652622

The only museum in Denmark where you can see visual art, crafts, design and furniture design. The exhibitions always offer new and exciting experiences, featuring both international and Danish artists and designers http://www.visitkolding.dk/ln-int/trapholt-gdk608312

Esbjerg Art Museum houses a renowned collection of art from the 20th century onwards and also organizes temporary exhibitions of international contemporary art. http://www.visit-esbjerg.com/ln-int/esbjerg-art-museum-gdk610157

The tea factory and tea museum are housed in an old church and parsonage. Learn all there is to know about the production and different kinds of tea. The tearoom has the most extensive tea menu in the world, and there are different kinds of tea available in the tea shop. https://toerisme.groningen.nl/en/see-and-do/culture/museums-and-monuments

In the historic old town of Kalundborg, the medieval city centre, paved with cobblestones and opposite the five-towered church, lies the great six-winged estate Lindegården from the 16th century. http://www.visitwestzealand.com/ln-int/westzealand/attractions/kalundborg

The Kings Jelling offers a journey with stories in the flames, about life as a Viking and warrior, the journey to Valhal and the transition to Christianity. Here you will also learn about the Danish kingdom, from Gorm the Old and to our current royal family. All told so that both children and their curious adults get a unique experience back home. From the roof terrace, there is a view of the monument area and with the two digital binoculars it is possible to zoom in on today's Jelling, but also to get an overview of Jelling through the ages. The experience center of Kongernes Jelling is located on the large monument area, which Harald Blåtand had fenced with a palisade, which was the largest Viking Age building. Here are the two rune stones, the church, the ship's setting and the two highs. These have been on UNESCO's World Heritage list since 1994. https://www.visitbillund.dk/billund/service-information/kongernes-jelling-gdk608020

Discover the magic of the rococo at the beautiful Charlottenburg Palace – once a royal summer residence, today Berlin’s largest and most magnificent palace. In the Neuer Flügel (New Wing), you can view the staterooms and the rococo ballroom known as the Goldene Galerie (Golden Gallery). The Silver Vault includes quite stunning tableware of gold, silver, glass and porcelain displayed on laid tables. Around 100 table services have survived intact, a vivid reminder of the magnificence of dining at court. The impressive display of the remaining pieces of the Prussian crown jewels, complete with the imperial insignias, as well as personal treasures, such as the elaborated designed, exquisite snuffboxes collected by Friedrich the Great, are also well worth seeing. The Porcelain Cabinet in the Old Palace offers a breathtaking collection of the finest blue-and-white porcelain decorating the entire room. https://www.visitberlin.de/en/charlottenburg-palace-old-palace

The Teddy Bear Art Museum is housed in the LEGO family's former private home in downtown Billund. The museum is an architectural gem from 1959 of 776 m2 and is today home to over 1,200 teddy bears. Enjoy the visit to the universe of teddy bears and discover that teddy bears are not only toys but also art. The museum has many different exhibits that show the charm and great diversity of the teddy bears. The museum is surrounded by an enchanting park-like garden of 10,512 m2 - a true oasis in the middle of Billund. The garden is open to guests during museum hours. Enjoy a lovely walk and all the lovely flowers and trees in the garden. https://www.visitbillund.dk/billund/service-information/teddy-bear-art-museum-gdk1102212

The many aspectsof the work of the Brothers Grimm will be presented in the GRIMM WORLD Kassel: valuable original exhibits, film and Sound documents, art installations, multimedia and hands-on activities promise to offer an exciting experience. https://www.grimmwelt.de/en/

The government buildings in the heart of Berlin form a ribbon across the river Spree, symbolically connecting East and West. The parliamentary offices and the chancellery were not built until the wall came down and Berlin was chosen as the country’s seat of government. The buildings are exciting examples of contemporary architecture that no-one sightseeing in Berlin can afford to miss. The original idea for the Band des Bundes was a gesture of reunification. In a dual piece of symbolism, the government buildings and the offices for democratically elected MPs are both a physical connection and a symbolic bridge between East and West. The federal buildings are not just the centre of the town in geographical terms; since 2006, the striking concrete and glass buildings have been the first thing that visitors to Berlin see when they arrive at the city’s main station. https://www.visitberlin.de/en/band-des-bundes

The Reichstag is an internationally recognisable symbol of democracy and the current home of the German parliament. Every year, thousands of guests visit the Reichstag - and with good reason: It is not often that you can enjoy such an amazing panorama while, just beneath your feet, the political decisions of tomorrow are being made. Both as an architectural wonder and a historical testimony, the Reichstag has an important role to play in Berlin. There are several options to visit the Reichstag: join a guided tour; listen to a plenary session (in German of course) or climb up to the dome and the roof! https://www.visitberlin.de/en/reichstag-in-berlin

The Pergamonmuseum is nothing short of a wonder in itself. Its rooms are overflowing with some of the world’s most impressive, long buried, treasures. The museum encompasses the vast history of the Ancient East, with collections that can not be experienced elsewhere. The museum is named after the Pergamon Altar, a Hellenistic masterpiece of white stone architecture. The imposing structure invites you to walk the steps of 2000 years of history and behold its intricacies close-up. But don’t get lost in this wonder for too long, as there are many more under the museum’s roof. Artefacts have been gathered from Iran, Asia Minor, Egypt and the Caucasus, and these worlds have been recreated for you to explore within the Pergamonmuseum. https://www.visitberlin.de/en/pergamon-museum

A visit to the Museumsgården Karensminde is like entering another age. The farm is a visitation farm where the work is done, as was done during the farm's heyday in the 1700s and 1800s. The whole family can give a hand when, for example, the grain is harvested, potatoes are picked up or milked. Meanwhile, cooking on the old wood-burning stove is busy. At Karensminde there is ample opportunity to get close to the animals. For example, you can give a hand when cutting the sheep and picking up the eggs from the chickens. You can go for a walk in the barn and look at the pig, which often has piglets. On the green meadows, you find Mad's goat and the geese. The rabbits and guinea pigs enjoy themselves in their cages, and the cats lick the sun on the steps. You can also explore the many rooms of the farmhouse, where a story from the old days hides in every corner. The volunteers like to talk about their work and provide anecdotes about the history of the farm. They can tell you both about how to do the work in the old days, and about all the different people who have lived on the farm. You can bring your packed lunch and eat in a cosy setting or buy a cup of coffee with cake. https://www.visitbillund.dk/billund/service-information/museumsgaarden-karensminde-gdk677139

Halle’s largest art gallery, the Stiftung Moritzburg Art Museum Saxony Anhalt, was named after the time honoured walls within which it is situated. New halls have been and are being built to harbour its treasures. http://www.halle.de/en/Culture-Tourism/Points-of-Interest/Culture-wherever-o-06059/