Directly at Hamburg Central Station, at Steintorplatz, is the Museum for Arts and Crafts (MK&G). Since its opening in 1877, it has been one of the leading museums for applied arts in Europe. With an impressive collection of over 500,000 objects, the MK&G offers a comprehensive overview of 4,000 years of art and cultural history from European, Islamic, and Asian cultures.

What makes the Museum for Arts and Crafts so special

The collections range from antiquity to the present, with notable mentions being the Period Rooms, including the Mirror Room from the Budge Palace and the Paris Room. They offer an authentic insight into historical living cultures. Another highlight is the Mirror Canteen, an original preserved design piece by the famous designer Verner Panton from the 1960s.

The collection encompasses numerous areas, including:

• Antique artworks: Objects from ancient Greek and Roman times.
• Asian art: Collections from China, Japan, and Korea, including ceramics, lacquer works, and textiles.
• Islamic art: Carpets, calligraphy, and handcrafted works from the Islamic cultural sphere.
• Design history: Furniture, fashion, and everyday objects from Art Nouveau to contemporary design.
• Photography: An extensive collection of historical and contemporary photographs.

1. The museum was opened in 1877 and is one of the oldest applied arts museums in Europe.
2. The collection includes over 500,000 objects, ranging from applied arts to everyday culture.
3. In the building, so-called Period Rooms such as the mirror hall from the Budge Palace are authentically reconstructed.
4. The collection of historical musical instruments encompasses about 700 pieces from several centuries.
5. A dedicated museum library provides access to around 200,000 volumes on art and cultural history.
6. The Art Nouveau collection is among the most significant of its kind worldwide and is internationally recognized.
7. With over 75,000 photographs, the photographic collection is one of the oldest in Germany.
8. Since 2012, the museum has exhibited a modernly curated design department with about 1,000 selected objects.
9. The extensive fashion collection includes more than 10,000 individual pieces from the 18th century to the present day.
10. Especially impressive is the historical poster collection, which documents political, cultural, and advertising motifs.

Adults and culture enthusiasts will find a mix of design, crafts, photography, and fashion history here. The special exhibitions often address socially relevant topics.

Families with children can look forward to interactive offerings. Many exhibitions are enhanced with media elements, hands-on stations, or creative workshops. There is regularly scheduled programming specifically for children that introduces design, art, and technology in a playful way. School classes and students often use the museum for projects, art lessons, or studies – not least due to the easily accessible knowledge transfer and the museum's educational offerings.

And: The museum is barrier-free accessible – a plus for wheelchair users, people with mobility restrictions, and families with strollers.

Tip: Every 1st Thursday of the month from 6 pm, admission is free for all visitors. If you arrive an hour before closing time, you only pay 5 €.

Note: Different opening times may apply on public holidays. Last admission is 30 minutes before the end of opening hours.