Gaining Ground – The German Atlantic Expedition from 1925 to 1927

What does the seabed look like? Is there even gold there? What was the historical interplay between science and politics back then? The special exhibition “Land gewinnen - Die Deutsche Atlantische Expedition von 1925 bis 1927” gets to the bottom of exploratory shipping. The exhibition will be officially opened on June 25, 2025, the Day of the Seafarers. It will be open to the general public from June 26.

100 years ago, the METEOR set sail to systematically explore the South Atlantic - an expedition that made scientific history. Using innovative measuring methods, the team mapped the seabed, analyzed currents and even attempted to extract gold from the ocean. But the expedition was not just about science: it was also a means of strengthening Germany's international presence after the First World War.

The exhibition takes visitors on board so that they can experience the everyday life of the expedition 100 years ago under extreme conditions. The DSM collection contains an extensive treasure trove of archival material relating to the METEOR expedition, such as the estate of Captain Fritz Spieß and thousands of glass plate negatives documenting the entire expedition.

Guests can discover original measuring instruments and nautical charts and immerse themselves in the research work of the time using interactive media. The METEOR's route can be traced using a digital map, while diary entries provide insights into life at sea. The political and colonial entanglements of the expedition are critically scrutinized and perspectives from Namibia are also included.

Opening: June 25, 2025, open to the public from June 26.