You can not possibly go to Hamburg and not feel the grip of the northern charm, that comes from a rich history of conquest and invasion and from the North Sea fresh cold breath. Hamburg’s position at the meeting point of trading routes between the Baltic and the North Sea brought Hamburg’s present-day prosperity, yet, at the expense of centuries of violence and multiple invasions.
The explanation for the city’s name remains uncertain and was lost over the ages. What we know for sure is that Hamburg developed around a castle built by Emperor Charlemagne in the first years of the 9th century. It was the main defense against the expansion of the Slavs. Later, Hamburg became a main target for the Viking raids. The city was destroyed and burnt down several times until the 12th century.
For the tourist that visit Hamburg, there is a richness of sights that appeals to even the most picky of visitors. The sights stretch over a large area, starting from Alster Lakes in the North, including the harbour and the Elbe river. There is the business quarter, the historic side including the Old City, and the New City, where you may find exotic, non-conformist bars.
Now, let’s take a closer look at the main sights that tourists enjoy on a tour of Hamburg. First, there is the St. Nikolai Kirche, one very fine Neo-Gothic Cathedrals that was severely damaged by the World War II bombing of the city. Today only the tower and the outside walls survived. The ruins are a memorial of pain and a tribute to the war victims. There is plenty of documentation on the church, and the tower offers a splendid overview of the city.
For most European tourists the name of Otto von Bismarck may ring a bell, well now you can also associate it with Hamburg. The Prussian Iron Chancelor has a huge 111-foot monument, made of granite, reminding the German people of the unification values Otto von Bismarck brought to the country. This powerful and tough politician had been the force in the shadow that made Germany what it is today, a unitary country.
If you’ve heard of the French Riviera, let me tell you that there is one very similar site in Hamburg, called Blankenese that is considered to be one of the most interesting and surprising parts of the city. With the looks of a 19th century fishing village and houses separated by narrow picturesque paths, Blankenese seems taken out from a movie. As if time has stopped, everything goes here round and round, in a pastoral atmosphere.
Modern art and architecture don’t miss, and Hamburg won’t be a disappointment for the tourists interested in the touch of modernism. One fine example of architecture refinement is Chilehaus. An impressive ten-storey structure that very much resembles a landlocked ship, the Chilehaus now houses modern offices. Another representative of Nouveau Art is the Dammtorbahnhof, Hamburg’s modern steel and glass train station.
With the tourist season stretching from May to the end of October, the city is full of life, even crowded. The great part of this time of year is that there are dozens of folk festivals with open street representations and local colourful parades. The bad part however, is that during tourist season, the prices seem to explode. Anyway, if you are not troubled by weather conditions, you can visit Hamburg, off-season. It is absolutely charming to actually experience the breath of the north.