The Musical Manhole Cover – Hanover, Germany - Atlas Obscura
Places near me Random place

AO Edited

The Musical Manhole Cover

Hanover, Germany

This gateway to subterranean Hanover plays jazz, pop and rock to surprised passersby.  

View all photos
39
83
Top Places in Hanover
The Liebniz Calculator.
Leibniz's Stepped Reckoner
Hanover, Germany
Marktkirche
Hanover, Germany
The Victims of Fritz Haarmann Memorial
Hanover, Germany
 See All

Opposite Hannover Hauptbahnhof there is a manhole cover like no other. Situated in the Ernst-August-Platz, hidden beneath the seemingly normal metal plate lies two loudspeakers, an amplifier, and a CD player, piping music to the world above. The “DJ Gulleyman” as it is known, can only be heard within a few meters of the manhole, and there is no sign or mark at street level of what is making the music or why. 

Installed as part of the 2000 renovation of the area, architect Timm Ohrt wanted to create a piece of unusual and playful art for the people of Hannover to enjoy. The music is split into day and night playlists of 12 hours and is refreshed every month, meaning this tiny disco is open 24/7. 

Know Before You Go

The manhole cover is directly opposite Hannover Central Station, across the Ernst-August Gallerie. It is situated close to the City Model statue.

sewers music
Nearby
Marktkirche
0.35 miles
Aegidien Church War Memorial
0.44 miles
Momo Monument
0.79 miles
Want to see fewer ads? Become a Member.
Near This Place
A symbol of the epiphany that won't make anyone uncomfortable
Hanover, Germany

Marktkirche

Striking occult iconography on a medieval German church.
Aegidienkirche interior
Hanover, Germany

Aegidien Church War Memorial

After this historic church was destroyed by World War II bombing, its blackened shell was left standing as a monument.
Hanover, Germany

Momo Monument

A bronze statue of Momo, a girl holding a huge ear, sits waiting to listen to anyone who needs it.
The Liebniz Calculator.
Hanover, Germany

Leibniz's Stepped Reckoner

An extraordinary mechanical calculator designed by the mathematician and philosopher Gottfried Leibniz.
Related Places
Chandelier Hall in the Cologne sewage system.
Cologne, Germany

Chandelier Hall

An elegant chandelier hangs over this ancient sewer chamber, now open for concerts and public tours.
Rockheim
Trondheim, Norway

Rockheim

A museum dedicated to Norwegian music, old and new alike.
Smak
Kragujevac, Serbia

'Smak'

Four monuments dedicated to the legendary band in Serbia.
Haarlem, Netherlands

Draaiorgel Museum

At this barrel organ museum, history and live concert keep Dutch street organ culture alive.
Appears in 1 List
Lake Imba Monster
List

23 Peculiar Places of 2023

From a fortune-telling chicken to a musical manhole cover.
Jonathan Carey December 29, 2023
In partnership with KAYAK

Plan Your Trip

From Around the Web