Hamburg prior Christmas – A stroll thru the inner city
Regardless whether you are arriving by train or by plane the Christian (shopping) festival is already evident.
Holiday lights are hanging everywhere around. Unfortunate, for those which know already their destination in the city it might be a bit confusing when searching for information boards.
In doubt you may ask one of the friendly Hamburgers, even in a Burger Restaurant.
The central railway station is more colourful than ever although it might be grey outside and each airport terminal hall impresses with a huge advent wreath.
Leaving this vibrant arrival area of the Hauptbahnhof, you might enter the MÜnckebergstrasse, which together with the parallel running Spitalerstrasse is Germany’s most frequented outdoor malls. Older houses or churches are rare; as the streets had been erected early 1900 and so many had been destroyed during the 2nd world war.
But once you are coming to the historical Christmas market at the city hall you feel relegated into the 19th century.
The tower of the city hall which had been completed in 1897 is 112 metres high.
The Christmas market is invented organised by the circus director of Roncalli since 12 years and gleams with its high quality of products and services.
Strolling a bit further a might be a good idea to walk under the Alster Arkaden with a lot of shops of international recognition from Adidas via iittala and Louise Vitton to Zara.
Sometimes you think you are somewhere else, however it is only Hamburg.
Indoor shopping malls are also plentiful and a good place when the wind is blowing a bit too strong, since we are not far away from the North Sea.
In any case you can look around to one’s fill. And a good filled purse might fulfil not only Christmas eves wishes for kids.
Text and photos by Wolfgang G. KĂźlper/Dec. 2011