The ship was originally named 'Petrsil' before being purchased by the Rickmers family and renamed.
It spent part of its later life as a Portuguese training ship named 'Sagres II'.
The vessel successfully completed the journey from Hamburg to Hong Kong and back multiple times in the late 19th century.
The onboard 'Onboard-Restaurant' serves traditional Hamburg cuisine within the original hull structures.
The ship is steered by a classic manual wheel located on the upper deck.
It survived both World Wars, though its role shifted significantly between commercial freight and military training.
The ship features an authentic 'Hundekoj' (dog's berth) area for sailors from its original era.
The hull is constructed from riveted steel plates, a characteristic engineering feat of 19th-century shipbuilding.
The Rickmer Rickmers is an 1896-built three-masted sailing ship permanently moored at the Hamburg Landungsbrücken. It served as a cargo vessel for trade routes between Hong Kong and Europe before being converted into a museum ship. The interior features restored living quarters, cargo holds, and engine rooms that showcase maritime history. The vessel houses a permanent art collection and hosts rotating exhibitions focused on seafaring life. It is designated as a protected maritime monument. Visitors can access multiple decks, including the captain’s cabin and the galley. The ship functions as a floating cultural venue for the city of Hamburg. It remains one of the few surviving steel-hulled sailing vessels of its era. The ship is officially recognized for its preserved historical architectural integrity.
The bow of the ship, looking toward the Hamburg skyline and the Elbe River bridges.
Wear flat, comfortable shoes with good grip, as the ship features steep ladders and uneven metal decking.
Check the upper deck weather conditions before visiting, as it is fully exposed to Hamburg's harbor winds.
Allow time to visit the engine room, which provides a stark contrast to the ornate captain's quarters.
Avoid rushing through the lower decks, as the most detailed historical displays are located in the cargo holds and engine rooms.
Open daily year-round, though access to the top rigging may be restricted during high wind events.
