The Hamburg Museum of Ethnology ranks among the largest ethnological museums in Europe.The house at the Rothenbaumchaussee has been exhibiting its treasures for more than 125 years.It was founded in 1879 by Hamburger businessmen and foundations. It emerged from the worldwide trade relations of the hanseatic city and donations from the town’s citizens. Even then, the Museum perceived itself as a symbol of Hamburg ’s cosmopolitanism and as a “Meeting place of cultures”. It displays the civilisations of peoples from all continents. Its aim is to highlight the diversity of the cultural resources and accomplishments of mankind. In consequence, the Museum has become a unique meeting place for members of all civilisations in keeping with the guideline “ A Roof for all cultures ”.
The museum disposes of more than 350,000 artefacts and almost 400,000 historical and ethnographic photographs. The collections comprise objects from the following regions: Africa, America, Australia, Europe, Indonesia and the South Seas. Parts of these collections are presented to the public in alternating exhibitions in an exhibition space of about 5,000m2. At the moment, exhibitions on Africa, Europe and the South Seas as well as the Maori House can be seen.