The German town of Hamburg is a metropolis with a lot of personality, closely linked to its shipping identity and its great docks. In addition, this city has gained much recognition as a first-rate tourist destination, and if you already plan to spend a few days touring the city, do not forget to visit Chilehaus, a construction as unique as it is spectacular.
Its definition is simple, it is an office building, similar to other business headquarters in Hamburg. However, Chilehaus has something that makes it a true work of architectural art.
Its walls are angular, the front of the building looks like the prow of a ship and one of its corners is so narrow that it gives the impression of being sharp. Chilehaus is one of a kind, and there is no other construction in Germany quite like it.
Plus, it has a few quirks that make it even more curious. For example, it is one of the few buildings that represents Brick Expressionism, a style of architecture popular in the 1920s but not internationally famous.
Therefore, Chilehaus is a rarity, and thanks to this it became a Historical Monument of the city of Hamburg and a World Heritage Site, recognized by Unesco in 2015.
As you might expect, such an extraordinary building must have an interesting origin, and Chilehaus lives up to this expectation. It was created to order, built with concrete, and financed by a British-born shipping magnate.
This businessman, named Henry Brarens Sloman, specialized in trading Chilean nitrate and had a great appreciation for this Latin American country. This served as inspiration, and the building that Brarens helped create would be called Chilehaus, which means “the house of Chile” in Spanish.
Likewise, the architects and engineers who worked on the project wanted their work to last over time, so all the details were taken into account. The planning was so careful that Chilehaus has its own concrete and cement bases, made to support the weight of the structure and prevent it from collapsing on the unstable ground on which it was built.
Similarly, attention was paid to details, especially those that will relate Chilehaus to Chile. Thanks to this, we can see decorations such as the statue of a condor, which rests on one of the walls of the main staircase.
Although it is a tourist point of great interest and one of the symbols that identify Hamburg, this imposing building is still an office space, reserved for the people who work there.
Despite this, it is still an extraordinary option for taking pictures, and seeing one of the most spectacular buildings in Germany up close. Remember that from time to time there are guided tours, which take a brief tour of the place and narrate the history of the building.
Finally, keep in mind that it does not matter if you only see the exterior facade of Chilehaus or if you manage to walk inside it, this is a fantastic architectural monument that you cannot miss on your travel itinerary.
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