Untersuchungsgefängnis Holstenglacis

The Untersuchungsgefängnis Holstenglacis is a remand detention facility in Hamburg that houses people awaiting trial in the criminal justice system. The building is protected as a monument and maintains its original function while serving as an architectural record of the city's past.

The building was constructed as part of Hamburg's port system and urban development, serving as a detention site from its inception. During World War II, the facility was the site of executions of European resistance fighters, commemorated by a memorial plaque installed in 2018.

The facility takes its name from the nearby Holstenglacis, a historic square in the Neustadt district, and visitors perceive it as a place where past and present coexist. The walls and structures tell of different periods in the city's development and changing times.

The facility is centrally located in the Neustadt district and is easily accessible by public transportation, situated among other city landmarks. Visits require advance notice and security procedures must be followed as established by the authorities.

The building exhibits an unusual dual function as both an active government facility and memorial site, making visitors aware of the tension between daily justice operations and historical weight. This combination makes it a rare example where history still operates and functions.

Location: Hamburg-Mitte

GPS coordinates: 53.55809,9.97898

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:41