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Hamburg: Speicherstadt Built at the turn of the 19th century, the Speicherstadt is the world's oldest warehouse complex. Within its maze of wharves and canals, stand 7 and 8-storey warehouses build of red brick with gabled roofs and small towers. Coffee, tea, tobacco, spices, and other products are still kept in the typical neo-gothic buildings, specially constructed to provide the perfect storage conditions. Trade goods stored in this free port, an enclosed area measuring 10 square kilometres, are not subject to customs formalities. Visitors can learn more about this quarter's history by visiting the Speicherstadmuseum, while an important aspect of trade is covered in the Hot Spice Museum (both open Tue-Sun: 10am-5pm). Take a boat tour by day or at night to experience to see all the details of this enchanting quarter (Tel.: +49/ 40/ 31 31 30 for more information). Hamburg: Reeperbahn The Reeperbahn is one of the most famous streets in Germany. It hosts a dazzling selection of cafes, bars and restaurants, theatres, cabarets, clubs, sex shops, peep shows, and brothels. Cutting through the district of St Pauli, this street is the centre of the city's red-light district. Many of the establishments are seedy rip-off joints but it's worthwhile to take a stroll here and breathe in the inimitable atmosphere of the area. Hamburg: St Michael's Built 1751-1762, the Church of St Michael is northern Germany's most important Baroque church. Its distinctive brick and iron-work tower, known locally as the "Michel", is the symbol of Hamburg and stands 132 metres high, shaping part of the city's skyline. Whether you decide to take the elevator or face the 442-step climb to the observation platform, it is well worth the ascent for the breathtaking views of the city and harbour. On the way up you will also be able to admire the largest clock face in Germany. The church itself has been destroyed many times in the past, but always rebuilt. It owes its present form to the design by Leonhard Prey and the renowned architect Ernst Georg Sonnin. The tower is open daily except Wednesdays. Hamburg: Krameramtswohnungen Close to St Michael's church are the Krameramtswohnungen (Shopkeeper's flats), established by the shopkeepers' guild in 1676 and administered as an early form of widows' pension. This function was finally abandoned in 1969, but one of the widow's flats (Krayenkamp 10/11) is now an interesting museum (Tue-Sun: 10am- 5pm; Tel.: +49/ 40 / 4 28 41 23 60) with all the original furniture and features. The remainder of the flats have been taken over by galleries, restaurants and pubs. Hamburg: Rathaus The Market Square provides an appropriate setting for the Rathaus (Town Hall), which is the seat of Hamburg's Senate, Burgerschaft (City Parliament) and Council. Built 1886-1897 and reflecting the prosperity of the Hamburg citizens of old, this richly ornamented sandstone construction in neo-Renaissance style, dominates the city with its impressive architecture. In juxtaposition to the traditional Hanseatic style, the Façade of the Rathaus is ornately decorated with 20 figures depicting the German Emperors. A Latin inscription over the main door reads "May the descendants seek to uphold the freedom which was won by our forefathers". Many of the buildings 647 rooms can be seen on a guided tour (M-Th: 10:15a.m. – 3:15p.m.; Fr-Sun: 10:15 a.m.-1:15 p.m., hourly; Tel.: +49/40/4 28 31 - 20 63 / 20 64). |