Afrikahaus, Heritage office building in Hamburg-Altstadt, Germany
Afrikahaus is an office building in Hamburg's Altstadt district with artistic decorations reflecting its historical purpose. Its structure features bronze elephant sculptures, African-themed wall mosaics, and cast iron elements positioned throughout.
The building was constructed in 1899 by architect Martin Haller as headquarters for the C. Woermann shipping company, which operated routes to German colonies. It embodied Hamburg's trading activities and overseas ambitions at the end of the 1800s.
The building reflects Hamburg's connections to overseas trade through its decorative and symbolic artistic elements. Visitors can observe these artistic details when entering and moving through the structure today.
The building functions as modern office spaces today but opens to visitors during the Day of Open Monuments with guided tours. These tours provide access to the interior and artistic details of the facade.
Two large bronze elephant figures guard the courtyard while a bronze sculpture of a Wahehe warrior marks the entrance. These artworks are uncommon examples of how such connections were artistically represented in European buildings of that era.
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