Hamburg, the second most populous city in Germany, is also the country’s largest port city. Preserving traces of its development as a trading hub is the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Speicherstadt and Kontorhaus District with Chilehaus.”
Originally, Hamburg prospered as a Hanseatic League city from the Middle Ages. Today, while it has grown into one of Europe’s leading modern cities, not many streets and buildings remain that reflect that history. Among those that do, the Warehouse District has become one of the city’s major tourist attractions.
What is the Speicherstadt and Kontorhaus District with Chilehaus?
The UNESCO World Heritage Site “Speicherstadt and Kontorhaus District with Chilehaus,” registered in 2015, consists of the red-brick warehouses along the canals known strictly as Speicherstadt, and the large commercial buildings of the Kontorhaus District.
In the Middle Ages, Hamburg was one of the leading cities of the Hanseatic League, and even today its official name remains “Freie und Hansestadt Hamburg” (Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg). When the German Empire was founded in the late 19th century, a free port zone was established, creating the need for new ports and warehouses.
Thus, Speicherstadt was developed in three phases between 1885 and 1927. The Neo-Gothic brick structures, connected by narrow alleys, canals, and bridges, form one of the largest warehouse complexes in the world. In the 26-hectare warehouse district, luxury goods such as spices, tea, coffee, and carpets were traded, and some warehouses are still in use today. Around the same time, the Kontorhaus District was built to house the offices of the growing number of merchants.
Name: Speicherstadt and Kontorhaus District with Chilehaus
Address: Speicherstadt, 20457 Hamburg
Official/related website: https://worldheritagesite.xyz/speicherstadt/
How to access the Speicherstadt and Kontorhaus District
The World Heritage Site “Speicherstadt and Kontorhaus District with Chilehaus” is located in central Hamburg. For countries with no direct flights to Hamburg, travelers usually transit through Frankfurt. From Berlin, it takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes by ICE express train.
The nearest station to the districts is Meßberg Station on the U1 subway line, just two stops from Hamburg Central Station. For warehouse district cruises, boats depart from Landungsbrücken Station, reachable by suburban trains S1–S3 or subway line U3 from Central Station.
Highlights of the Speicherstadt and Kontorhaus District①: Views from the Canals
Hamburg, a port city, is crossed by many canals. The Port of Hamburg, connected to the canals, is so massive that it’s hard to believe it sits on the Elbe River, still 30 km from the sea. Cruises departing from the Elbe river ferry terminal to the Warehouse District and Alster Lake are a staple of Hamburg tourism. From morning to night, countless boats depart, making it difficult to choose. If unsure, consult the information desk at the terminal.
Once inside the canals, tall red-brick buildings line both sides continuously, with no sidewalks between them and the water. This is because ships once docked directly beside the warehouses, where cranes hoisted goods in and out through windows. This is a unique scene of a modern port city—worth close attention. At night, the red-brick cityscape illuminated romantically is especially recommended, evoking the feeling of drifting through a movie scene.
After the cruise, it’s also worth walking around to take in the Warehouse District’s views. Since there are no paths along the canals, the scenery is best enjoyed from bridges crossing them.
Highlights of the Speicherstadt and Kontorhaus District②: The Chilehaus
The most striking building among the commercial houses registered as a World Heritage Site is the Chilehaus. Built from over 4.8 million bricks laid by hand, its bold, avant-garde design stands out even today. The name Chilehaus comes from Henry B. Sloman, who amassed his fortune trading Chilean nitrate.
Constructed between 1922 and 1924, Chilehaus is the iconic building of the Kontorhaus District. Designed by Fritz Höger under the then-emerging Expressionist style and inspired by northern German traditions, the building features a prow-like pointed corner resembling a ship’s bow, and wave-like contours across its façade. Its flexible interior layout allowed partitions to be added as needed, according to the number and size of trading companies.
As Chilehaus still functions as an office building, it is best not to disturb workers by overly lively sightseeing inside. Instead, you can appreciate its atmosphere by walking along the passageway called Fischertwiete that runs through the building.
Highlights of the Speicherstadt and Kontorhaus District③: Museums in the Warehouse District
Several warehouses have been converted into museums and themed facilities. In fact, the entire district can be seen as a massive open-air museum. If time permits, visiting one offers deeper insights into Hamburg’s trading history.
At the western edge of the UNESCO-designated area lies the Speicherstadt Museum, where visitors can learn about the history of the district and the workings of the red-brick warehouses. Founded by a coffee trader, the museum features extensive exhibits on coffee. Visiting here first enriches the experience of exploring the warehouse and commercial districts.
Nearby are also the Spice Museum and the Afghanistan Museum. Across the canal, attractions include “Miniatur Wunderland,” a German version of Tobu World Square, and the popular family attraction “Hamburg Dungeon.”
◎ Summary
This article introduced the highlights of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Speicherstadt and Kontorhaus District with Chilehaus.” While the area is no longer used for trade as it once was, it has become a major tourist destination.
Walking through the district, one can still smell spices, coffee, and tea, a lingering reminder of the bustling days when goods were loaded and unloaded here.