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On 5 July 2015, the Speicherstadt and Kontorhaus district with the iconic Chilehaus were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. UNESCO thus recognised the exceptional universal value of this unique ensemble of historic warehouse architecture. To mark the 10th anniversary, the City of Hamburg, together with Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) and other stakeholders located within the World Heritage Site, will be organising the ‘Long Night of World Heritage’ on 20 September – a special evening where visitors can experience Hamburg's World Heritage in a unique atmosphere. The programme is continuously updated at www.welterbenacht.hamburg.
A diverse programme awaits guests around the Speicherstadt and Kontorhaus district: Evening tours will offer new perspectives on the history and architecture of the Speicherstadt and Kontorhaus district. Artistic light installations from the “Festival of Lights” will bathe the historic façade of Speicherblock P in atmospheric colours, telling the story of the Speicherstadt, while musical performances will provide a special backdrop. Exhibitions and creative activities will also invite visitors to experience the World Heritage Site with all their senses.
Dr Carsten Brosda, Senator for Culture and Media: “The World Heritage status puts Hamburg's Speicherstadt and Kontorhaus district in the same league as world-famous landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower or the Alhambra. The ‘Long Night of World Heritage’ offers us the opportunity to experience together these testimonies to unique architecture as a reflection of our trading history and as a place that continues to shape Hamburg's identity to this day. It is wonderful to see how history and the present come together here to form a vibrant urban culture.”
Michael Fußner, Commercial Director of HHLA Real Estate: “During the ‘Long Night of World Heritage’ the Speicherstadt historical warehouse district is opening its doors to reveal what lies behind its historic facades. On the outside, it shapes Hamburg with its iconic brick architecture, on the inside, it hosts one of the city's most diverse commercial districts. In September, we will be introducing the people who make this place so special – with exciting companies, cultural offerings and places to enjoy. It is much more than a monument: it is a lively district full of stories, ideas and encounters."
The ‘Long Night of World Heritage’ is one of the highlights of the 2025 anniversary year, which began on 1 June with UNESCO World Heritage Day. Additional events related to the World Heritage are also planned, including activities as part of the ‘Open Monument Day’ on 13 and 14 September 2025.
Programme for Saturday, 20 September 2025
The programme includes evening tours offering exciting insights into the history and architecture of the Speicherstadt historical warehouse district, the Kontorhaus district and the Chilehaus. A special highlight is the Festival of Lights: from 18 to 20 September 2025, Speicherblock P (Neuer Wandrahm 1–4) will be transformed into a vibrant screen with a video projection starting at 8 p.m., telling the story of the Speicherstadt. For fans of puzzles, there is the OPOLUM Escape Game, in which participants can discover hidden secrets of the Speicherstadt with tablets and night vision devices. Miniatur Wunderland offers behind the scenes tours. For visitors who prefer humour and poetry, the Poetry Slam in the Speicherstadt Kaffeerösterei is the place to be. The Spicy's Spice Museum invites visitors on a journey through time with its Hamburg merchant tour, ending with a tasting of various spices. The Speicherstadtmuseum dives deep into the history of the district and offers various guided tours, including a scenic and very humorous tour with actress Kerstin Poetting. The Maritime Museum is also participating and offering discounted tickets. To reflect the international character of the Speicherstadt, the language school Institute 4 Language will offer English-guided tours of the Speicherstadt, as well as mini language courses and a pub quiz.
More events will be added until 20 September 2025. The current programme can be found at www.welterbenacht.hamburg.
Background
Hamburg was and is a dynamic port and trading metropolis, constantly evolving. The construction of the Speicherstadt historical warehouse district, in the late 19th century, marked a transformation process from mixed-use residential and commercial quarters to a modern city with dedicated business districts. This change continued in the early 20th century with the construction of the Kontorhaus district.
The UNESCO World Heritage Committee described the Speicherstadt and the Kontorhaus district as an ‘outstanding example’ of ensembles that symbolise significant periods in human history. The exceptional universal value is reflected in the ‘city of warehouses’ built between 1885 and 1927 with its network of streets, canals and bridges, as well as in the modern brick architecture of the office complexes in the Kontorhaus district from the 1920s to the 1940s.
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