Hamburg

THE CITY OF HAMBURG

Hamburg is the second city of Germany. The city is home to approximately 1.8 million people. The port of Hamburg is the second-largest port in Europe (after that of Rotterdam), and the ninth-largest in the world. Hamburg is a major transportation hub in northern Germany and became a media and industrial centre. Hamburg is not located directly on the sea but on the river Elbe.

Hamburg's official name is the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg (German: Freie und Hansestadt Hamburg). It makes reference to Hamburg's history as a member of the medieval Hanseatic League, as a free imperial city of the Holy Roman Empire, and also to the fact that Hamburg is a city-state and one of the sixteen Federal States of Germany.

Hamburg has a great cosmopolitan feel thanks to its splendid merchants' houses and magnificent promenades, international musicals, shopping malls and the (sometimes infamous) St. Pauli quarter with the red-light district “Reeperbahn”. Hamburg is also known as "The Green City on the Water" because of many parks and lawns that can be found in the city.

In the 9^th century, Emperor Charlemagne ordered a fortification to be built between the rivers Elbe and Alster. The fortification was named “Hamma Burg”, which later became “Hamburg”.

During the 1100’s and 1200’s Hamburg had became a real city and entered into the Hanseatic League, becoming an economic power because it was close to the sea. In the sixteenth century, Hamburg became a protestant city and accepted a large number of religious refugees from the Low Countries and France.

During the Second World War the city was heavily bombed and had to be rebuilt almost from scratch.  When the Iron Curtain had been installed at the end of the 1950, Hamburg was West Germany’s only true city. As a result it acquired a cultural importance to make up for its damaged economic role suffered in the aftermath of both World Wars.

THE PORT OF HAMBURG

Hamburg has a long tradition as a destination or departure point for cruise ships. Many passenger ships call at Hamburg every year. Cruise ships usually moored at the Hamburg Cruise Centre.

However, a new berth for cruise vessels in Altona went into operation in 2009. Hamburg will now be able to operate with two functional cruise terminals. It is presumed that 50 ships a year will be operated in Altona. The berth can accommodate vessels with a length of up to 300 metres. The actual terminal building is currently in the planning stage, but the request for planning permission has already been submitted. Construction operations will be completed in the summer of 2010.

WHAT TO SEE AND DO IN HAMBURG

In the town centre of Hamburg a visit of the city hall and the beautiful St. Michaelis Church can be recommended. St. Michaelis is Hamburg’s main Protestant church. The spire of the church is known as the “Michel” and is an impressive 132 meters (433 feet) high. The copper coating of the spire makes it a very visible landmark in the city.

Another must in Hamburg is the old warehouse district or “Speicherstadt” and the harbour promenade (Landungsbrücken). The Speicherstadt is a hundred year old warehouse complex. The red brick building with its ornate towers and rooftops is quite magnificent. Don’t miss the Speicherstadt at night, when it is lighted which gives a beautiful view when seen from the nearby bridges and canals.

Hamburg is one of the world's largest harbours. At the “Landungsbrücken”, harbour and/or canal boat tours (Große Hafenrundfahrt, Fleetfahrt) can be booked

In the evening around the area of Reeperbahn in the quarter St. Pauli, considered Europe's largest red light district and home of strip clubs, brothels, bars and nightclubs attracts a lot of visitors. It was in the Reeperbahn that The Beatles began their career in 1960.

Hamburg offers many of shopping possibilities. The Mönckebergstrasse is a mile long and is full of shops and stores.

Lovers of culture should visit two special Hamburg museums: the Rodin exhibit and the Hamburg Dungeon where more information can be found about the history of the city.