If you are lucky enough to be in the second largest city in Germany, you will definitely not be bored. In the ancient city on the Elbe, there are a lot of attractions that will not leave indifferent even the most fastidious and sophisticated traveler. In our review, we will tell you what to see in Hamburg for an unforgettable experience.
City Hall
One of the symbols of this German city and a pearl of architectural art is the town hall. In Hamburg, it can be found on Rathausmarkt 1. Today, the executive and legislative authorities of Hamburg sit in this monumental building. If you don't know what to see in Hamburg first of all, head to the town hall.
When in 1842 the building of the town hall had to be urgently blown up due to a large-scale fire blazing within its walls, the question arose of erecting a new building. The first projects were submitted to the city authorities in 1854, but almost all were rejected. ensuingThe economic crisis slowed down the construction of a new town hall, and only in 1886 did the construction of the main city building begin. The author of the project was Martin Haller, 6 more famous architects of that time worked with him.
The last interior work was completed only in 1897, construction was interrupted several times. First because of a workers' strike, and then because of a massive cholera epidemic.
On the central portal of the building there is a sculptural image of Charlemagne and Frederick Barbarossa. It was thanks to the latter that Hamburg received the status of a free city back in 1189.
The height of the tower of the Hamburg City Hall reaches 112 meters, it can be seen from almost anywhere in the Old Town. The image of the Phoenix bird on its top became symbolic. She recalls that the city hall rose from the ashes after the fire in the same way.
No tour of Hamburg is complete without a visit to the City Hall. Tourists in their reviews share their impressions and say that this place is the personification of the old city and its courageous and freedom-loving inhabitants.
Old Tunnel
The uniqueness of this design is that it was built according to a rather unusual project. In order to be in the Old Tunnel under the Elbe, you will have to use the services of an elevator operator. And this applies not only to pedestrians, but also to motorists and cyclists.
The opening of this structure took place back in 1911, but despite the fact that the tunnel celebrated its centennial anniversary, it still performstheir functions. After all, there is no better way to get to the Steinwerder area.
The history of the construction of this unusual tunnel began in 1907. The author of this project was the German design engineer Ludwig Wendemuth. Due to the fact that at the end of the 19th century the cargo port of Hamburg could no longer cope with the amount of cargo being transshipped, it became necessary to expand it. They did this at the expense of the territories located on the left bank of the Elbe. And then the next problem arose. The workers had to somehow get there, and the ferries could no longer cope with so many passengers. In addition, they interfered with cargo ships that moored in the port.
At first, the city authorities thought about building a bridge to relieve the port and allow dock workers to quickly get to their place of work. But having calculated the cost of such a large-scale structure, they came to the conclusion that the construction was inexpedient. And then the idea of the tunnel came up.
Despite the fact that its construction also turned out to be expensive and cost the city treasury 10.7 million marks, it quickly proved its cost-effectiveness. Its length is 426 meters, and the diameter of two parallel passages is 4.8 meters each.
After the 8-lane modern tunnel under the Elbe was built in the 70s, traffic on the old track became less intense, but even today it copes with the flow of passengers and cars wishing to get to the other side. Since 2003, the Old Tunnel has been taken under state protection as a historical and cultural monument. Germany. When planning what to see in Hamburg, be sure to include it in your list.
Miniature Park
If you are traveling with children, then there are attractions in the city of Hamburg, specially designed for family excursions. Over 2,000 sq. meters there is a toy city, along which more than 20 thousand meters of railway tracks are laid. The whole town is divided into 7 thematic zones: the Swiss and Austrian Alps, the American section, Scandinavia, etc.
This extraordinary idea belongs to the twins Frederick and Gerrit Brown. They traveled around Zurich and visited an exhibition of miniature trains from different years. After that, they decided to create a park where all models of trains will be presented. But the static composition seemed too boring for them, and the brothers created a real toy road on which trains constantly move.
International Maritime Museum
Because Hamburg is a port city, it's no surprise that it finally has a maritime museum. It arose thanks to Peter Tamm, who donated his large collection of ships to his beloved city.
If you happen to be in this place, don't expect to quickly see all the exhibits. The maritime museum is especially delightful for children. On a vast territory, on 9 floors-decks, there are exhibits covering the thousand-year history of maritime affairs. Moreover, children can not onlysee models of ships, but also feel like real sailors. With the help of a sextant, they will be able to independently determine the location of the museum, and play pirates in a specially stylized room.
Bergerdorf Castle
On the outskirts of Hamburg is an old castle, which was built in the 12th century. Over the centuries, it was completed and expanded, until it finally acquired the appearance in which tourists can see it today.
The Bergerdorf Museum operates on the territory of the castle, which contains an extensive collection of household items and art of past centuries. This place is especially popular with newlyweds, here you can hold a wedding ceremony that will be remembered for a lifetime. The castle also hosts occasional classical music concerts.
Alster Lake
The sights of any city are not only what is done by human hands, but also the creations of nature itself. Hamburg was no exception. Lake Alster is considered to be one of the most favorite places of citizens and visitors of the city.
It is located almost in the very center of Hamburg and it is even surprising that in the center of civilization you can still find an untouched corner of nature. Its history dates back to the 13th century, when it became necessary to build a dam that could hold back the Elbe.
The calling card of the lake is a 4-meter sculpture of a bathing girl. To enjoy this corner of nature in the center of a noisy metropolis, you can rent a catamaran orboat and cruise the clear waters of the Alster.
Kickenberg Museum
Museums are not only dusty galleries and ancient castles with catacombs. Such a cultural institution can be located in the open air. The creators of this museum managed to recreate the appearance of the German village of the 18th century.
On a vast territory (12 hectares) about 30 houses were built in the style of that era. A tourist who decides to visit the Kickenberg open-air museum will not be bored, because life is in full swing in the village. You will be told the secrets of processing grain and spinning wool, especially desperate travelers will even be able to try their hand at milking cows.
There is a coffee workshop on the territory of the museum. Here you will see the whole process of roasting coffee beans and enjoy the aroma and taste of a freshly brewed coffee. Both adults and children will enjoy this authentic place.
Monument to the "Iron" Chancellor
The monument to Otto von Bismarck in Hamburg is one of many with which grateful compatriots demonstrate their admiration for this political figure. However, it should be noted that the "iron" chancellor himself was rather cool and indifferent to such recognition of his merits. As Bismarck himself said, the most significant award for him was the one he received for rescuing a groom who was drowning in a lake. Then he was still a young cadet and received such awards with special trepidation.
Sculpture in Hamburg is one of the most impressive and tall among all the monuments to Otto Bismarck. The competition for the best project wasannounced in 1901, and the very idea of erecting a monument arose even earlier - immediately after the death of the chancellor. The authors of the project that won this competition were Johann Schaudt and Hugo Lederer. It took them three years to present their creation to the court of the townspeople. As conceived by the architect and sculpture, Otto von Bismarck is depicted as a knight tired of the Crusades.
The height of the entire composition is 34.3 meters, and the chancellor himself is 14.8 meters. To appreciate the scale of this sculpture, it is worth saying that Bismarck's head is equal to the height of an adult.
Church of Archangel Michael
This main Protestant church in Hamburg has another name - "Big Michel", it is located in the southern part of the city. The history of this temple began in the distant 1648. However, he was not destined to last long. From a lightning strike, the building caught fire and was almost completely destroyed by fire.
By 1786, the inhabitants of the city managed to rebuild the Church of the Archangel Michael, but in 1906 there was another fire, due to which the tower of the building was destroyed. The city authorities initially decided not to restore the old building, but to build a modern church in its place. But the residents of the city loved their "Big Mikhel", so they decided to reconstruct the old church.
Today it is one of the symbols of Hamburg, which makes the image of this free Hanseatic city recognizable.
Horror Museum
If you make a listFor more of what you can see in Hamburg, check out this horror museum called the Hamburg Dungeon. The emphasis here is on the historical setting. This is not a panic room in the usual sense, it successfully combines a theatrical production and an amusement park.
During the show, which lasts an hour and a half, you will not only get acquainted with the history of the city, but also experience a lot of emotions due to the authenticity of what is happening. A tour of the catacombs, cellars and prisons is conducted by professional actors, and they will do their best to make the tourist feel all the horrors of the Middle Ages in their own skin.
Botanical Garden
What to see in Hamburg for nature lovers? They are invited by the botanical garden of the city, its history began more than 200 years ago. Initially, it was a private collection of exotic plants and flowers that were brought to Hamburg from all over the world. Later, the botanical garden was donated to the city, and the authorities opened this place for public access.
If a tourist has time, he should definitely visit this place. Here you can see Japanese and Chinese gardens, landscape samples of the entire European territory and even a special corner with plants mentioned in the Bible, made by Israeli botanists.
Panopticon Wax Museum
Opened in 1879, the Hamburg Wax Museum has become one of the largest in Germany today. In 1943, the building burned down, and all its exhibits were destroyed in the fire. However, the Hamburgers managed to completely restore the collection in 5 years.
Here you can see wax figures of both our contemporaries and famous personalities of the past. A collection of human organs, also made of wax, is displayed in a separate room.
How to get from Moscow to Hamburg
The second largest city in Germany can be reached in several ways from the capital of Russia. The most convenient, but also the most expensive option would be a plane. Travel time is just over 6 hours.
There is also a train that takes you to Berlin. There is no direct flight Moscow - Hamburg, so you will have to transfer to an internal train in the German capital. The total travel time is almost a day.
Finally, if you decide to travel by car, you will have to stock up on a map. The path is long (about 20 hours non-stop), but the traveler will be able to enjoy the views of Germany on the way to Hamburg and will not have to adjust to a specific schedule.
