Westindienspeicher

West Indies Storage Flensburg – A Testament to Rum and Trade History

The West Indies Storage in Flensburg is an impressive testament to the historical trading history of the harbor city. The five-story brick building was constructed in 1789 by merchant and ship owner Andreas Christiansen and is hidden in the historic merchant courtyard between Große Straße and Speicherlinie.

The storage once served as a warehouse for goods from the Danish West Indies. This included rum, sugar cane, tobacco, cocoa, tea, and spices. Goods were hoisted through large hatches into the upper floors of the storage via a gable crane that is still recognizable today. Especially the stored rum and sugar cane represent Flensburg's historical connection to Caribbean trade and the city's development into a significant rum town.

With its distinctive facade, large floor hatches, and historic crane, the West Indies Storage Flensburg is now a remarkable eye-catcher in the old town. Since the renovation, the building houses apartments and commercial spaces.

The West Indies Storage is also a station on the Captain’s Path and connects excellently with a walk through the historic old town. Those interested in Flensburg's rum history, merchant courtyards, and maritime past should not miss this somewhat hidden location.

At a Glance

• Historic storage from 1789
• Located between Große Straße and Speicherlinie
• Former warehouse for rum, sugar cane, and other colonial goods
• Original gable crane and large floor hatches
• Testament to trade with the Danish West Indies
• Part of the Flensburg Captain’s Path
• Today apartments and commercial spaces

Our tip: Keep an eye out for the entrance to the historic merchant courtyard while walking through the Flensburg old town – the West Indies Storage is somewhat hidden and is precisely why it is a special place to discover.