Tourist information - Hamburg
A harbour city based in the far north of Germany, Hamburg is still known for centuries as the "gateway to the world". One of Hamburg's most famous sons, novelist Wolfgang Borchert, lovingly described the city as "moreover a heap of stones, roofs, windows, beds, roads, bridges as well as street lamps”. It is much more than factory chimneys and traffic jams – greater than the screeching of seagulls, squeaking of trams and thundering of the railway - it is more than ships' horns, whirling cranes, curses and dance music - oh, it is so much more!" Even writer Heinrich Heine, who didn’t always sing Hamburg's praises, returned over and over, equally many tourists do. Hamburg has an air about it: also, it is a busy and bustling metropolis; on the other, an elegant and cosy seaside idyll. Whatever your impression may be, you'll never get weary of Hamburg!
The city centre, which lies between Lake Alster and the River Elbe, sets the pace throughout the city - commercially, politically and socially. Its magnificent boulevards are lined with shops; also, you could never guess that the majority of the area lay devastated at the end of the War. Those in search of culture need look no further: the Kunsthalle, opera house and the two main theatres (the Thalia Theater and the Deutsches Schauspielhaus) are here, as too are the stock exchange and also the extravagant town hall. The Altstadt (old town) contains most of the city's most historic buildings, such as the 9th century Hammaburg, and Hamburg's major churches: St. Michealis, St. Katharien, St. Jacobi, St. Petri and also the ruins of St. Nikolai.
The historic Kontorhäuser (commercial buildings) that lie between Steinstraße and Meßberg are architectural rarities. Indeed, the Kontorhaus Quarter is a different world: the narrow streets around Burchhard-Platz are lined with enormous red-brick buildings just like Chilehaus and Sprinkenhof. Despite their size, these buildings are certainly not over-imposing, but are proud, solid and dignified. They stand in ordered rows, display a similar architectural style and give this district its distinctive feel.
The upmarket Pöseldorf/Harvestude district lies on the Outer Alster's western shore. Dominated by rows of late-19th century town houses and ornate, neo-classical mansions, this place is a favourite with young professionals. Everything is perfect and really trendy, that has led to the district being christened 'Schnöseldorf' (little snot's town) by locals. Harvestuder Weg, home to many foreign consulates and company headquarters, is among the city's most sought-after addresses, while Alsteruferweg is great for a relaxing stroll.The Universitätsviertel (University Quarter) lies at the west of Rothenbaumchausee. As you may expect, this is an exciting area of town with lots going on. Most of the people who spend time within the bars, cafés and clubs are either students or media types. Hamburg University's main building is situated on Edmund-Siemers-Allee, and when you venture westwards from this point, you get to the Grindelhochhäuser (Grindel Tower Blocks), constructed in 1924-28.
Eppendorf is another popular residential area. The streets are lined with elegant turn-of-the-century town houses, and diverse small rivers flow through the district. Make sure you visit the Isemarkt, located within the viaduct on Isestraße. Eppendorf's market square has a memorial to writer Wolfgang Borchert. Inscribed with the words of his poem Say No! The memorial reflects his deeply-held anti-war beliefs.
Altona was once an independent Danish city until being annexed by the Nazis in 1937. Most likely the most heavily-populated part of Hamburg, it is a working class, multicultural and full of character. Architecture junkies will love the 'Kontorhäuser', the renovated factories, the imposing classical Palmaille and the exquisite villas on Elbchausse. The Altoner Town Hall is constructed in the typical style of the Wilhelmenian era (1888-1918).
Lined with ancient trees and ornate villas, the 10km-long Elbchausee has been known as the "most beautiful street in the world" and leads the way from Altona to the exclusive district of Blankenese. Famous for its white fishing huts, historic country residences, parks, gardens, views of the River Elbe and - of course - its winding paths and narrow stairways, this a favourite haunt for locals and visitors alike.
You may be forgiven for thinking that time has passed the Schanzenviertel and the Karolinenviertel by. Both of these districts are usually multicultural and therefore are ideal for people-watching. Their numerous watering-holes, tea rooms and ethnic shops lead them to an excellent place to visit night or day. Yet the fact that they have been "discovered" signifies that their original character is struggling to survive.
St. Pauli, Hamburg's famous red-light district, is the liveliest and most attractive part of town, and the 30,000 people who live here are an eclectic mix of old and young. The legendary Reeperbahn runs the length of the district and is lined with clubs, sex shops, fast food joints and bars as far as the eye can see. If you explore the side streets, you will be in for a surprise! Located at the eastern end of the Reeperbahn is the Heiligengeistfeld, which hosts the Hamburger Dom (Hamburg Fair) thrice a year. St. Pauli stretches from the Wallanlagen (now identified as Planten un Blomen) to Hafenstraße as well as the Landungsbrücken.
The harbour is the heart of the city. Pay a visit to it and you will probably soon figure out why Hamburg is known as the "gateway to the world". It is among the world's largest harbours along with its 75 square kilometres constituting over one-tenth of the city's entire area. Especially worth seeing are the places of Köhlbrandtbrücke, the Landungsbrücke, Old Elbe Tunnel and also the Speicherstadt, whose warehouses, consist of goods worth millions of Marks. Within the 1990s, building work began to establish a modern living and business quarter on the Kehrwiederspitze, known as "Harbour City".
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