It's not surprising that Hamburg, Germany's largest port, should have a maritime museum. What is surprising, however, are the circumstances of the museum's origins and its exhibits. It is based on an extensive collection of model ships assembled by Peter Tamm and donated to the city.
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The building of a former port warehouse was used to house these unique exhibits. If you are planning to visit the Hamburg Maritime Museum with a child, be prepared to spend a few hours in the halls. The museum's exhibition covers 9 decks with a total area of 16,000 square metres. There are objects and documents covering three millennia of maritime history.
But the greatest temptation awaits collectors and lovers of model ships. There are a thousand large models and 36,000 small ones. The showcases contain antique models made of precious metals and ivory. They are all made with astonishing precision. But can you call the work of the enthusiasts who have assembled copies of two great liners out of Lego bricks any less meticulous? The toy parts of the Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth 2 are just as magnificent as the serious models.
In general, many of the exhibits are designed for curious children. For example, in one of the rooms there is a sextant that can be used to determine the location of a ship, i.e. the museum. In another room there is a periscope, which is used on submarines and can be used to look down to the next floor. In the third room, you will find the conditions for playing pirates. No, you cannot wield your sabre there, but you can sit in the cabin amidst the carpets and cushions, recalling the battles and dreaming of new exploits.
Don't forget to add Miniatur Wunderland, which is within walking distance, to your itinerary.
Listing all the museum's attractions would take up too much space. For some it will be the ship's menus, for others the flags of the International Code of Signals, for others the devices used to pull the ropes. Some will be surprised to learn that the lighthouse is not just a tower with a huge lantern, but also a home and a workplace. Others marvel at how the craftsmen chose the wood to build the ships. The boys are fascinated by the display cases of weapons, and their shoulders feel the weight of the epaulettes. Girls, on the other hand, may find the similarities between boating snot and macramé, or even be interested in the cutting of sails.
A very interesting exhibition is the gradation of the storm. The mirror-like smooth sea in the calm becomes truly frightening when the wind gets up to 10-12 on the Beaufort scale. But the flagship Hamburg, a model of which hangs under the ceiling of one of the halls, rushes forward as if in defiance of the storms.
If after this museum the words 'lag', 'ratlin', 'cable' seem magical to a child, don't be surprised. To make your visit to the Maritime Museum memorable, you can buy a small ship model in the souvenir shop on the ground floor.
