The Moated Castle

The Wasserschloss, in Hamburg

The Wasserschloss is one of the most emblematic and photographed buildings of the Speicherstadt of Hamburg. The Hamburg audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this picturesque brick building surrounded by water, at the crossing of several canals.

The brick house in the middle of the canals

In the heart of the Speicherstadt stands the Wasserschloss, which can be translated as water castle or moated castle. This small red brick building, with a romantic look, owes its charm and its fame to its exceptional location: it lies at the crossing of several canals and seems entirely surrounded by water, like an island or a castle girded with moats, which earns it its nickname. Built like the other buildings of the Speicherstadt for functions linked to trade and the management of the warehouses, notably to lodge employees and offices, it stands out by its picturesque form, its gables and its turrets that are reflected in the water. It is today one of the most photographed viewpoints of Hamburg, a true postcard of the district. It now shelters activities linked to the tea trade, perpetuating the link of the town with this product. A picturesque jewel of the Speicherstadt, the Wasserschloss is a must-see stop of the discovery of Hamburg.

What to see

You admire the Wasserschloss, a picturesque small red brick building of the Speicherstadt, at the crossing of several canals and seeming surrounded by water like a moated castle, with a romantic form, with gables and turrets reflected in the water, one of the most photographed viewpoints of Hamburg, which shelters activities linked to the tea trade. The Wasserschloss is a postcard of the Speicherstadt. It is a must-see stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The Wasserschloss lies in the heart of the Speicherstadt, in Hamburg, reachable on foot. You admire it freely from the bridges and the quays; the interior access follows its own conditions, which vary. The view is particularly beautiful by day as at nightfall.

Why is the Wasserschloss of Hamburg famous?

For its exceptional location at the crossing of several canals of the Speicherstadt, which makes it appear entirely surrounded by water like a moated castle; this picturesque brick building, with gables reflected in the water, is one of the most photographed viewpoints of Hamburg.

Where is the Wasserschloss of Hamburg?

In the heart of the Speicherstadt, in Hamburg, in Germany.