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Long before Elvis did "Wooden Heart", "Muß
i denn" (I must leave) has been a traditional volkslied (folk song)
of Germany.
Muß i denn, muß i denn zum Städtele hinaus
- - Must I, must I really leave the city?
Städtele hinaus und du, mein Schatz, bleibst
hier. - - Leave the city and you, my treasure, stay
here.
The Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg is a city-state
founded in 811 as Hammaburg during the reign of Charlmagne. A member of
the Hanseatic League it became the commercial center with laws protecting
the merchant and commerce; and has never been ruled by any sovereignty,
it has always been ruled by it's citizens.
The port is the third largest in Europe and covers 10%
of the city area; even though it is located 100km up the Elbe River from
the North Sea. The actual port area is Freihafen which is not considered
a part of Germany because of it's own laws regarding shipping and cargo;
you are subject to Passport and Customs control when you enter and leave
this area.
Hamburg had its own great fire in 1842 which destroyed
much of the historic buildings, the damage sustained by the bombings during
the war destroyed even more. Each time the city was rebuilt with its commercial
interests in mind and we don't have as many historic landmarks as other
German cities. What Hamburg does have is a reputation for being one of
the greenest (200,000 trees) cities in Europe with 28% of the city area
devoted to 120 parks and nature reserves many lying along the Elbe and
Alster. Because of the many canals within the city, we are in the Guinness
World Book of Records as having the most bridges (2428) of any city in
Europe, more than London, Amsterdam and Venice combined. The favorite Sunday
afternoon pastime of Hamburgers is for families to stroll through the parklands
just enjoying each other and the day.
With 90 consulates, Hamburg has more than any other city
in Europe which adds to its cosmopolitan character offering a rich variety
of different cultural events; theater, opera, classical music, ballet,
musicals, pop concerts, museums, art galleries.
And of course, there is the St. Pauli district noted for
it's St. Pauli brewery and the Reeperbahn, the most famous sex oriented
street in Europe. Within this area is Herbertstrasse, a street of brothels,
where women sit in the windows displaying what they have to offer and traditionally
these 'women of the horizontal profession' pour water on any non-professional
woman entering the street.
This is the official German tour of Hamburg;
and then, there is my Hamburg:
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