Museum Ostwall im Dortmunder U

The Museum Ostwall is housed in the Dortmunder U, a striking high-rise on the western edge of downtown that originally served as the fermentation and storage cellar of the Dortmunder Union Brewery. Designed by architect Emil Moog and opened in 1927, the seven-story building rises 70 meters (230 feet) and is visible from far away thanks to its gilded, illuminated company logo, a giant "U." After the brewery closed, the city acquired the landmarked building and underwent a comprehensive renovation for Dortmund's turn as a European Capital of Culture in 2010. Today it serves as a center for art and creativity and, in addition to the Museum Ostwall, is home to the Hartware Medienkunstverein media art association. The museum is an easy walk from the main train station, or you can take the light rail to the Westentor stop.

The architectural transformation, led by Gerber Architekten, opened up the interior of the building. A continuous vertical art axis cuts through the front facade and gives visitors an impressive view of the tower's vertical dimension. Additional bay windows and a library let in natural light, while an observation terrace and dining areas expand the range of things to do. A special highlight is the installation "Fliegende Bilder" (Flying Images) by Adolf Winkelmann, which serves as a picture clock at the crown of the roof. It shows video art and animated motifs that change daily and adapt to the time of day and special occasions, turning the building into a dynamic work of art in the cityscape.

Inside the Museum Ostwall itself, you can discover a collection of contemporary art, presented in rotating special exhibitions. The exhibition spaces extend across several levels, with the top level offering a particularly memorable setting with a tall "cathedral" space and a restaurant. The museum sees itself as a place for encounter and engagement with current artistic positions, set within the lively art and culture mile along the Königswall, which stretches all the way to the Konzerthaus Dortmund.