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The origins of Hamburg are to be found not on the Elbe, but on its tributary, the Alster. On its banks (old Saxon: "ham") arose the first settlement in the eighth century, not far from where the small river flows into the Elbe. The fortress of Hammaburg was erected here around 830.
In the 12th century, the Elbe acquired greater importance. Trade in the North European area developed fast. In 1189, Hamburg received from the Emperor Barbarossa the privilege of levying tolls on the Elbe and then became a Free City of the Empire.
A medieval league of cities in Northern Europe emerged: the Hanseatic League. Hamburg became the most important North Sea port of the Hanseatic League and served as a transhipment site for grains, cloth, furs, herrings, spices, timber and metals. Hamburg itself became famous due to its most important export: beer.
After the discovery of America and the sea route to Asia, as from 1550, Hamburg became one of the most important ports of entry in Europe. With the increase in shipping and world trade in the second half of the 19th century, Hamburg had to further expand its port and storage capacities. The construction of the Speicherstadt, or storage city district, (1881-1888) was the first step in this direction. In the decades that followed the port was expanded to the opposite side of the Elbe.
The creation of the free port (1888) made Hamburg one the world's biggest warehouse locations for coffee, cocoa, spices and carpets. The construction of the Kiel Canal (1895) further increased the port's attractiveness, as a direct and fast link to the Baltic Sea area was now guaranteed.
Today, with 1.7 million inhabitants, the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg is the second largest city in Germany and one of the 16 federal states of the Federal Republic of Germany. Hamburg is both a city and a state. Economically and culturally, Hamburg is also the centre of all Northern Germany. 3.5 million people live in the metropolitan region of Hamburg - for them, Hamburg is a shopping and cultural metropolis.
With 755 square kilometres, the city area is seven times bigger than Paris and two and a half times bigger than London. As a result, Hamburg's living and housing standards are particularly high. With 30 square metres of living space per person, Hamburg has the biggest average living space of all major cities in the world. As much as 14% of the city area is made up of green spaces and recreational areas.
Hamburg has 2,302 bridges - more than Venice and Amsterdam combined. With over 90 consulates, Hamburg is second only to New York City in the world. As a trade centre, Hamburg has always been outward-looking, and this has shaped the mentality of the inhabitants of Hamburg.
DON’T MISS
1. The Christmas Markets, and all their magic in December every year
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