The Deichtorhallen - two imposing buildings with an open steel and glass construction - are located in the centre of Hamburg, between the main railway station and the Speicherstadt warehouse district. Originally planned as market halls, they are now one of the most important exhibition centres for contemporary art and photography in Europe. On over 5,000 square metres, large-scale installations, international photography and contemporary art alternate on an impressive scale.

What makes the Deichtorhallen so special

What immediately stands out: The architecture. The expansive steel construction creates a special atmosphere - industrial and delicate at the same time. Photographs hang here in museum size, there are installations that fill entire rooms or you find yourself in the middle of a multimedia work of art.

The two halls that make up the Deichtorhallen are clearly divided in terms of content:

• The North Hall, the House of Photography. 
• The Südhalle, the hall for contemporary art.

The Haus der Photographie is home to one of the most important collections in the history of German photography: the F. C. Gundlach collection. There are also temporary exhibitions with an international focus - from social documentary photography to fashion photography. Visitors not only get to see works of art, but are also presented with social issues.

In the Hall for Contemporary Art, the present takes centre stage. Works of painting, sculpture, media art and performance are presented. The themes are often about identity, consumption, power relations or the environment - always topical, often provocative and deliberately staged on a large scale.

Good to know: The Falckenberg Collection in Harburg is also part of the Deichtorhallen. If you bring a little more time with you, you can discover works of contemporary art in the former factory hall - but guided tours are compulsory and should be booked in advance.

• The halls were built between 1911 and 1914 as large market halls.
• There are two independent exhibition areas: the House of Photography and the Hall for Contemporary Art.
• The focus of the exhibition is on contemporary art and international photography.
• The Deichtorhallen are among the largest exhibition spaces of this kind in Europe.
• The light-filled steel and glass structure is a listed building.
• Since 1989, the halls have been dedicated to art – the renovation was accompanied by artists and architects.
• The Falckenberg Collection (Harburg) has been complementing the program since 2011.
• The name "Deichtor" comes from the old city gate that used to stand here.
• Regularly, festivals, talks, film screenings, and performances also take place here.
• The Deichtorhallen cooperate with international museums – including the MoMA in New York.

Whether you are already an art connoisseur or simply want to experience something new: adults will find challenging exhibitions addressing current topics here. For teenagers, there are always dedicated educational offers, guided tours, and workshops. Children can participate in special family tours – otherwise, the museum experience is more geared towards older children and adults. There are special programs for school classes and students that connect art and society.

The Deichtorhallen are a strong example of how Hamburg asserts itself as an international art location. Here you won't just find exhibitions, but spaces that invite reflection, discussion, and discovery. The changing formats make each visit new and surprising – all within an architecture that is an experience in itself.