The Big City Of Hamburg

Hamburg is the second largest and most populous city in Germany, right after Berlin. It is one of the largest ports in Europe as well as one of the most visited cities in all of Northern Europe. The city’s population is approximately 2 million – but the greater Hamburg metropolitan area is home to more than 5 million people. 

Hamburg was founded on the mouth of the river Elbe as an ancient naval fortification in 808 CE. A castle was ordered by Emperor Charlemagne as a defense against Slavic and Viking invasions. Hamburg has since been a major port in the area. In the Middle Ages, it became one of the most influential cities of the Hanseatic League that controlled the entire the Baltic and all major maritime commercial routes on it. 

Hamburg has been an important financial centre for centuries and is the seat of Germany's oldest stock exchange. It is also home to the world's second oldest bank, the Berenberg Bank. The city is also a key factor in world politics and international law, with the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, the EU-LAC Foundation, the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning based here. Many consular and diplomatic missions and various international conferences like Hamburg Summit: China meets Europe and the 2017 G20 Hamburg summit are also held here.

The city has countless magnets for potential visitors.  It has an old and rich history, precious hanseatic architecture, numerous museums and art galleries. There are also cultural venues, shopping malls, and restaurants serving local fish specialities. Hamburg’s fascinating and distinct maritime Baltic character makes this beautiful port city a tourist destination for both domestic and international visitors. 

The city has ranked 18th in the world for livability in 2016. The historic quarter of Speicherstadt and Kontorhausviertel were declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2015.

Hamburg is a major European science, research, and education hub, with several universities and institutes. Its creative industries and cultural sites include the Elbphilharmonie and Laeisz concert halls and other art venues. It gave birth to movements like Hamburger Schule and paved the way for bands including The Beatles. Hamburg is also known for several theatres and a variety of musical shows. St. Pauli's Reeperbahn is among the best known European entertainment districts.

A walk along many canals and passes illustrates why the city is called the "Venice of the North". If you ever find yourself in Hamburg for a kosher tour, make sure that you do not miss a trip to the local fish market and the business district with its impressive red brick architecture. Go on and climb the tower of the Old Town Hall and visit the famous Old Jewish Cemetery located in Altona, where – amongst many other notable personalities – rabbi Yonathan Eybeschütz, the “Yorei Devash“ and Yaakov Emden, both outstanding 17th century European ashkenazi halakhic authorities, are buried. 

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