After flying into Germany through Frankfurt am Mains international airport take a train to Hamburg, one of Germany’s oldest established cities. There you will have your mind racing as the city alone has endless stories to tell. Hamburg is the second largest city in Germany, after Berlin and home to approximately 1.8 million residents while the city inhabits more than 4.3 million. The City known as, “Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg,” gets its name from the first permanent building, a castle, ordered by Emperor Charlemagne in 808 A.D. In 834 the city was designated the seat of Roman Catholic bishopric, however in 1529 the city embraced Lutheranism and was a notable sanctuary for refuges. The city was, along with the majority of European countries at the time, accosted by the Plague or “Black Death,” in 1350, taking 60% of the population with it.
Once the city regained its faculties by 1410 the first constitution was signed. This lead to much change, and as the popularity of the Holy Roman Empire started to unwind in 1806 the Free Imperial City of Hamburg was not metastasized, but became a sovereign state officially titled “Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg.”
Since, the city skyline has been unlike any other, wherein place of mountainous skyscrapers the horizon paints the portrait of glorious churches. In the 19th century, Hamburg’s own St. Nicholas’s church was the tallest building. Currently the skyline features St. Michaelis Church, St. Peter’s Church, St. Jacobi Church, and St. Catherine’s Church as well as the Heinrich-Hertz-Turm, once accessible radio and television tower.
Venice may be considered the city that floats, but Hamburg is home to over 2,300 bridges, more than Amsterdam and Venice combined making it the most abridged city in the world. In the St. Pauli quarter of Reeperbahn there is one of Europe’s largest red light districts and thereby home to strip clubs, brothels, bars, and nightclubs. For those who love The Beatles, an interesting fact is that they started their career in Reeperbahn with a 48-night residency at the Indra club, 58 nights at the Kaiserkeller in 1960, a stint at the Top Ten Club in 1961, and the Star Club in 1962. For tourists and residence alike there are bus tours that will take you to the numerous tourist attractions through the city. However, since Hamburg is one of the world’s largest harbors, tourists can also take boat tours through the canals, which start from the Landungsbrücken. If you prefer a more laidback atmosphere you should visit the neighborhood of Schanze, the street cafes are quant and quiet while the beaches along the river Elbe can be a relaxing getaway with friends and family for a barbecue.
Hamburg is a metropolitan of fancy with more than 40 theatres, 60 museums, and 100 music venues. When visiting Hamburg, especially during the warmer months make sure to take a trip to one of the many parks available. The largest parks are the Stadtpark, Ohlsdorf Cemetery, and Planten un Blomen. Stadtpark is Hamburg’s version of New York Cities “Central Park.” The park has a great lawn and an enormous water tower. For you star gazers who just can’t wait for the sun to go down the park is home to one of Europe’s largest planetariums. In Ohlsdorf Cemetery there is a Jewish mourning Hall.
The Deutsches Schauspielhas theatre in St. Georg’s quarter has a capacity for 1,192 spectators making it one of Germany’s largest theatres. The Thalia Theatre located on Raboisen Street was named, for good reason after the muse Thalia. From Greek mythology, Thalia was one of the three Graces and the muse of comedy and idyllic poetry. The theater has one of Germany’s more famous ensembles and stages around 9 new plays per season. For those visitors who aren’t fluent in the native tongue there is The English Theatre. Near U3 Mundsburg station, it is the oldest professional English speaking theatre in Germany having exclusively native English speaking actors. Since the arrival of the musical Cats in 1985 the city has been running such plays as Phantom of the Opera, The Lion King, Dirty Dancing, and Dance of the Vampires in numerous venues.
The Alter Botanischer Garten Hamburg (sometimes known as the Schaugewächshaus or the Tropengewächshäuser) is a historic botanical garden located in Planten un Blomen Park at Stephansplatz. The facility currently consists of interconnected greenhouses. Those with a tight budget need not worry this herbological paradise is currently without charge.
Located at Lokstedter Grenzstraße 2, 22527 Hamburg is Hamburg’s most famous zoo, Tierpark Hagenbeck. The Zoo is most notably famous for its moats and bar-less enclosures, allowing all practitioners to follow the animals through the panoramic habitats. Make sure to follow all the rules and guidelines laid out for spectators as to not repeat the breakout of 1956! In 1956, 45 rhesus monkeys escaped from the zoo and ran wild in Hamburg. Police were called after housewives claimed to have been accosted by our primate brethren, as they were climbing through opened windows of local houses taking items from the homes and playing with them on the law and in the trees. There’s one good reason to not feed the animals at the zoo, they’ll follow you home and possibly try to inhabit your house.
Another famous staple of Hamburg attractions is the Hamburg SV (futbol team/soccer). Hamburg is sometimes considered Germany’s capital for sports since the city is home to one of the most famous first league teams and international sporting events. Hamburg SV is the oldest team of the Bundesliga playing since 1963, they are six-time German champions, three time German world cup winners, and triumphed in the European Cup in 1983 as well as having played in the group stages of the Champions League twice in 2000/20001 and in 20006/20007.
I’m sure by now with all the walking around, travel tours, and sites your stomach must be growling. Luckily Hamburg has a plate full of delectable and savory traditional dishes in store to sooth those hunger pangs. Hamburg’s traditional dishes include Bohnenund Speck (green runner beans cooked with pears and bacon), Aalsuppe (soup mostly considered to be eel, but may include everything but the kitchen sink), Bratkartoffein (pan-fried potato slices) which as similar to chips or French fries, Finkenwerder Scholle (pan-fried plaice), Pannfisch (pan-fried fish), Labskaus (corned beef, mashed potatoes, and beetroot), and to tickle your sweet tooth there’s always Rote Grutze (a berry pudding usually served with cream). After your belly is full, or if that weren’t enough there’s always The Hamburger DOM. The Hamburger DOM is Germany’s largest fun fair that occurs three times a year, spring, summer, and winter. This Volksfest consists of a beer festival, food, rides, and games for all ages.
With Hamburg’s rich history, it’s numerous attractions, and beautiful architecture you’ll be planning your return trip before you’ve left. No matter the season there is always something to do, a reason to celebrate, you will undoubtedly fine a way to enjoy yourself. Don’t forget your camera, you’ll never want to forget the memories you made while visiting this culturally stimulating and fantasy getaway city in Germany.
