State Archives of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg

The State Archives of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg is an archive in Wandsbek that holds over one million documents and materials. The collections include administrative files, municipal records, court proceedings, and private manuscripts spanning several centuries.

The archive developed from the systematic collection of documents from Hamburg's various authorities and courts over many generations. Its holdings reflect the city's evolution from Hanseatic times to the present.

The archive holds documents that show how Hamburg functioned as a port city and changed over time. Visitors can trace how trade, administration, and daily life worked in different periods.

The archive can be visited after advance registration and offers a reading room to view materials. Visitors should plan their research requests ahead of time and check opening hours to work efficiently.

The archive preserves records related to German colonies and protectorates in Africa and the South Pacific, including documents about Kiautschou, Cameroon, Samoa, and Togo. This collection offers insight into colonial history from an administrative perspective.

Location: Wandsbek

Address: Kattunbleiche 19, 22041 Hamburg

Website: http://staatsarchiv.hamburg.de

GPS coordinates: 53.57500,10.06889

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:01