Photograph of the Oldest House in Hamburg, Germany, Taken in 1898

This was once the oldest building in Hamburg, Germany. It was built in 1504 and was demolished in 1910. The photo was taken from 1898.

Built in 1504, the house stood as a unique survivor of centuries of urban change, including the Great Fire of 1842 and the extensive urban development that swept through the city in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It was a half-timbered structure, a style that was once common in Hamburg but became increasingly rare as the city modernized.

In the late 19th century, with a growing population and the need for new infrastructure, Hamburg underwent a massive redevelopment. The Gängeviertel district, where the house was located, was particularly targeted for demolition and reconstruction. This was part of a larger push to create a modern city, with wider streets and commercial buildings.

Despite its historical significance and protests from the public, the decision was made to demolish the house. On December 8, 1910, the nearly 400-year-old building was torn down in a matter of hours. Its demolition was a symbol of the city’s commitment to progress, but it also represented the permanent loss of a tangible link to Hamburg’s medieval past.