With more than 2.5 million visitors worldwide, “AMAZÔNIA - Photographs by Sebastião Salgado” ranks among the most successful exhibitions of the renowned Brazilian photographer. From 29 October 2025 to 15 March 2026, the immersive show celebrates its German premiere at the Rautenstrauch-Joest-Museum in Cologne.
Over a period of seven years, Sebastião Salgado traveled through the Amazon rainforest – the largest in the world – capturing both its breathtaking beauty and its fragility in the face of deforestation, exploitation, and climate change. The exhibition was curated by Lélia Wanick Salgado, his long-time partner and co-founder of the Instituto Terra, a reforestation initiative in Brazil. Salgado often says that reforesting the land healed not only nature, but also himself - a deeply personal and artistic counterpoint to his documentary work on conflict, poverty, and destruction. “We need to rebuild the connection between humans and nature. The forest is not just trees - it is life, water, balance, and hope.” - Sebastião Salgado
Featuring around 200 black-and-white photographs, AMAZÔNIA reveals the stunning diversity of the region – from vast, mist-covered landscapes to the faces and daily lives of Indigenous communities who have protected this delicate ecosystem for centuries. Accompanied by an original soundtrack by Jean-Michel Jarre, the exhibition creates a multisensory experience that invites visitors to see, hear, and feel the pulse of the Amazon.
Just steps away from the museum lies MAISON MARSIL, a boutique hotel that shares a similar spirit of design, culture, and authenticity. Situated between the Belgian Quarter and the museum district, the historic townhouse with its Mediterranean courtyard attracts artists, travelers, and creatives from around the world – people who, like Salgado, have a deep appreciation for imagery, atmosphere, and storytelling.
A stay at Maison Marsil offers the perfect continuation of the AMAZÔNIA experience – a place to unwind, reflect, and stay connected to art, space, and inspiration, right in the cultural heart of Cologne.
“We are proud to bring this exceptional exhibition to Cologne in 2025, marking the 150th anniversary of Zurich Group Germany,” says Dr. Carsten Schildknecht, CEO of Zurich Group Germany, one of the exhibition’s main sponsors. “Our partnership with Sebastião Salgado and Instituto Terra reflects our understanding of sustainability. AMAZÔNIA invites visitors to reflect on the fragile balance between humanity and nature and to take action toward a more sustainable future.”
“With the AMAZÔNIA exhibition, we want to create a space in which Indigenous knowledge systems are recognized as equal perspectives in the pursuit of planetary justice. In particular, we wish to highlight the essential yet often little-known role of women as guardians of land, language, and knowledge. The Rautenstrauch-Joest-Museum sees itself as a connecting hub within a global network – a place where voices from the Global South can meet and engage with local perspectives,” adds Nanette Snoep, Artistic Director of the Rautenstrauch-Joest-Museum.
A concert highlight at the Cologne Philharmonic: As part of the exhibition, a special concert by the Gürzenich Orchestra will take place at the Cologne Philharmonic on 4 November 2025. The performance will merge live music with Salgado’s photography, with his powerful images projected on a grand scale throughout the concert hall.
Rautenstrauch-Joest-Museum – Cultures of the World
29 October 2025 – 15 March 2026