Historic Hamburg

The "Altstadt" (Old City) really is the oldest quarter of Hamburg and the main attraction for many tourists. The most well-known are probably the Chilehaus (Chile House) and the Kontorhäuser (Office Buildings) at Burchardplatz but also Sprinkenhof, Mohlenhof and Messberghof are popular destinations for tourists.

At some places the "old Hamburg" can be pictured very well, e.g. in Cremon street. Here, you could formerly find store and residential houses with a loading canal and a street front so that trade goods could be transported by land as well as by sea. Deichstrasse (Dyke Street), an old traders' street with store and residential houses from the 17th to the 19th century also reminds of old times. Numerous excellent restaurants and pubs invite you to stay.

"Michel" Church - Hamburg's Landmark

St. Michaelis church, built from 1751 - 1762, is not only the most important baroque church building in northern Germany but also features the biggest German church clock. The circumferential measurements of the dial amount to more than 24 meters.

It's tower, the "Michel", is 132 metres high and has a viewing platform from which you can watch Port and City undisturbedly. Every day at 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. Turmblasen (tower music) takes place.

Krameramtswohnungen (Shopkeeper Office Flats)

A historic architectural monument from the 17th century and an idyllic piece of old Hamburg are the Krameramtswohnungen in close proximity to Michel church. One of the historic traders' flats is still in original condition and was equipped with complete furnishing from the time around 1850/60 by the Museum für Hamburgische Geschichte (Museum for Hamburgian History). It is open to visitors.

Trostbrücke (Consolation Bridge) at upper Nikolaifleet

Since 1266 Trostbrücke in the old city of Hamburg has been connecting the Episcopal City around the area Domstrasse, Petrikirche and the Comital City which was founded by Gustav Adolf III., Count of Schauenburg, Stormarn and Holstein. The two statues on the bridge shall remind of these founders.

Stock exchange

The premises of the Hamburg Stock Exchange, the oldest of its kind in Germany, is located back to back with the Rathaus (Town Hall) and can be visited.

The Old Elbtunnel

When the Elbtunnel was opened in 1911 it was a technical sensation – today it’s a nostalgic and lovingly maintained piece of Hamburg’s history. The distinctive rectangular dome structure at St. Pauli-Landungsbrücken jetties is home to machinery and four large lifts which have been transporting people and vehicles almost 24 metres down into the ground since 1911. After a trip 426.5 metres under the Elbe River and through two tiled tunnels both 6 metres in diameter you will see daylight again in Steinwerder. Why not walk through the tunnel! And then enjoy the fantastic view of the harbour area; the Michel church and the "Rickmer Rickmers" from the south bank of the Elbe.

Television tower

Hamburg’s tallest building is located in Lagerstrasse; was built between 1965 and 1968 and is named after the German physicist Heinrich Rudolf Hertz. The tower is 279.8 metres tall and weighs a total 43 000 tonnes. The catering and viewing platform, located 128 metres up, has been closed since January 2001 – up until that point visitors could also discover these 128 metres from a totally different perspective – from the end of a bungee rope. Re-opening of the tower for visitors in the near future is currently unlikely due to the high structural alteration costs this would involve.

The Jewish Cemetery Hamburg-Altona and Eduard-Duckesz-House

The Altona jewish cemetery dates back to 1611 and is considered as one of the most important jewish burial grounds worldwide, because of its size, age and the religious and cultural significance of many of its gravestones. The cemetery measures almost 2.5 acres and consists of a Sephardic and an Ashkenazic part. From Eduard-Duckesz-House you may have a view over the historic cemetery without having to enter its grounds.

Every Sunday – except public, jewish and winter holidays - at 12:00 a.m. there are guided tours (Adults 5,00 €, Children free). Besides the cemetery is open to the public from October till March on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from 02:00 p.m. to 05:00 p.m. and from April till September on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 03:00 p.m. to 06:00 p.m. and also on Sundays from 02:00 p.m. to 05:00 p.m. On public, jewish and winter holidays the cemetery is closed.