A Station That Became a Landmark
When most people think of railway stations, they picture functional grey buildings with timetable boards and vending machines. Uelzen's Hundertwasser Bahnhof is something else entirely. Redesigned by the legendary Austrian artist and architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser for the EXPO 2000 world exhibition in Hanover, this small station in Lower Saxony became one of the most photographed and celebrated pieces of public architecture in Germany.
Hundertwasser, known for his rejection of straight lines and love of organic, colourful forms, transformed what was a fairly unremarkable 1930s station building into a riot of mosaics, curved walls, golden onion domes, and wildly asymmetric windows. The result is a building that feels simultaneously playful and profound.
What to Expect on Your Visit
The Exterior
Even before you enter, the exterior of the station announces its presence boldly. The façade is covered in hand-laid ceramic tile mosaics in deep blues, greens, and golds. Two shining golden domes crown the roofline. Columns are wrapped in coloured tiles, no two windows are the same shape, and the floor undulates gently underfoot — all deliberate Hundertwasser touches that reject the "tyranny of the straight line."
The Interior
Inside, the station functions as a working railway stop on the Hamburg–Hanover line, so trains really do pull in here. The waiting hall features curved archways, mosaic-tiled pillars, and warm earthy tones. There is a small café and a gift shop selling Hundertwasser-themed souvenirs. Information panels in German and English explain the artist's philosophy and the story of the station's redesign.
Getting There
The Hundertwasser Bahnhof is simply Uelzen's main railway station, so you'll arrive here if you travel by train. Regular IC and RE services connect Uelzen to:
- Hamburg Hauptbahnhof – approximately 1 hour
- Hanover Hauptbahnhof – approximately 1 hour
- Lüneburg – approximately 20 minutes
By car, Uelzen is easily reached via the A7 motorway (Autobahn), exit Uelzen. The station is a short walk from the town centre car parks.
Tips for Visitors
- Photography – The station is best photographed in morning or late afternoon light when the mosaics catch the sun. Entry to the building is free for anyone, not just train passengers.
- Combine your visit – Pair the station with a stroll through Uelzen's old town (Altstadt), the weekly market, or the nearby Herzberg Park.
- Guided tours – The local tourist office periodically organises guided architectural tours of the station. Check their current schedule in advance.
- Accessibility – The station has step-free access and facilities for visitors with reduced mobility.
About Friedensreich Hundertwasser
Born Friedrich Stowasser in Vienna in 1928, Hundertwasser was a painter, printmaker, and visionary architect whose work embraced nature, colour, and human irregularity. His buildings — including the famous Hundertwasserhaus in Vienna and the KunstHausWien — share the same organic DNA as Uelzen's station. He died in 2000, the same year the Uelzen station was unveiled, making it one of his final completed projects.
For architecture enthusiasts, design lovers, or anyone who simply enjoys the unexpected, Uelzen's Hundertwasser Bahnhof is a genuinely unmissable stop in the 05842 region.