Hamburg Vacations

Hamburg Vacations

MUSEUMS

The Hamburg Card provides access to most of these museums, with the exception of the Deichtorhallen, the Hafen Basar, and the Erotic Art Museum. The free newspaper Museumswelt Hamburg lists museum exhibitions and events and can be picked up at the tourist offices. Most museums are closed on Mondays.

IS Hamburger Kunsthalle, GlockengieBerwall 1. This sprawling first-rate art museum requires many hours to appreciate in full. The lower level presents the Old Masters and extensive temporary displays of private collections. In the connected four-level Galerie der Gegenwart, contemporary art takes a stand, and a loud one at that-check out the pneumatic dancing legs on the top floor. Open Su, Tu-W and F-Sa 10am-6pm, Th 10am-9pm. 7.50, students 5.

Museum fiir Kunst und Gewerbe, Steintorpl. 1. Handicrafts, china, and furnishings from all corners of the earth fill the applied arts museum. A huge exhibit chronicles the evolution of the modern keyboard with dozens of the world’s oldest harpsichords and box pianos. Open Su and Tu-Sa 10am-6pm, Th 10am-8pm. 8.20, students and seniors 4.

Deichtorhallen Hamburg, Deichtorstr. 1-2. Follow signs from the subway station; look for the entwined iron circles. Hamburg’s contemporary art scene inhabits these two former fruit warehouses. New exhibits each season showcase up-and-coming artists. Open Su and Tu-Sa llam-6pm. Each building 6.50, students 4.50.

Erotic Art Museum, Nobistor 10a. SI or 3 to Reeperbahn. Everything from the Kama Sutra to Victorian pornography, from loose sketches to gigantic Russian dolls in varying degrees of undress. Drawings by Picasso add fame and propriety to an otherwise shocking display. Open Su-Th lOam-midnight, F-Sa 10am-2am. 8. Under-16 not admitted.

Hamburger Museum fiir Volkerkunde, Rothenbaumchaussee 64. Ul to Hallerstr. An anthropologist’s paradise; Mongolian and Maori huts, African masks, and supermarket placards speak volumes about the cultures of the world. Open Su and Tu-Sa 10am-6pm, Th 10am-9pm. 5, students 2; F 2.501.

Harry’s Hamburger Hafen Basar, on Balduinstr. After sailing the world and collecting its wares, Harry dropped anchor and set up this cluttered, family-run museum-shop. Collectors will be interested to know that everything besides the shrunken heads and the stuffed leopard is for sale. Open Su and Tu-Sa noon-6pm. 2.50.)