Hamburg's Veddel area (which, apparently, is an island), is a small quarter of the central borough, two S-Bahn train stations southerly of the city-center.
..and this was the only thing I knew about this area. Till I visited the BallinStadt Emigration Museum.
Photograph taken in the 2nd exhibition hall of the Museum
You see, Hamburg used to be one of the European "get-away" and crossing-the-ocean options. The Hamburg-American Line operated hundreds of transatlantic travels, transporting millions of emigrants.
Posters of the age (click to enlarge)
BallinStadt is a great museum conception.
Starting with, I should just that it is way more interesting than how it's name sound. Apart from the complete collection and exhibition halls, there is a straight and to the point concept of presentation, applying modernities on most of the setting - which is equipped with all the relevant multimedia-s. A true and authentic experience, adding value to what any visitor observes.
After all: the setting is the same buildings, the halls are some of the exact rooms that once used to “host” the soon-to-be-immigrants.
Hamburg's Museum of Emigration succeeds in offering experiential introspection on history and genealogy; most of you have heard about ancestors of yours that had (have) migrated to the “New World”.
Its is like visiting the reverse Elis island, in Europe.
It took me just some "after-hours" tours around Hamburg to come to a realization: there is a ...thing with the lights in this city.
Either the lights of the buildings, or the overall image of the city during the night.
It feels like there is not enough illumination.
Yet, this is a remark in every German city I have visited.
Cities in Germany, seem less bright - compared to major European cities and places of interest.
Check the results of Google. Hamburg-by-night images varies from: photographs and panorama-s of the area of Inner Alster (probably the most illuminated area, in the entire city) to takes of particular events (fireworks, Hafen Geburstag, etc.) and -of course- the vibe of the night-out area of St.Pauli. Still, most of those photographs seem enhanced or digitally improved.
Not to be misunderstood: Hamburg has some majestic areas to offer; trust me, I am the guy that made an entire webpage dedicated to this. There are so many picturesque locations inviting to night-walks or taking gorgeous night-photographs.
But, I would like to see some more distinctive illumination, probably more highlighting light spots on distinguishing parts of buildings, or some special projectors on monuments. More or less, special parts of the city to be brighter - alike details that someone expects to find in other major European cities.
Why is that?
On an attempt to find the probable issues that keep Hamburg "abstaining" from more city lights, I would notice:
...the pragmatist German mindset that dictates productivity & practicality come first, and then the looks,
...the not so massive number of tourists. Or the low rates of criminality in the city center,
...an ecologically consciousness policy,
…or the on-going industrial & port spirit that goes on, deep in Hamburg's DNA.
Οbserving the Port during the Hamburger night: maybe a bit dark but absolutely captivating
Nevertheless how dark Hamburg's city center seems, I should give some credit to the lack of big lights and the overall quietness. Any single spot in the city manages to emit a particular feeling of rest and peace; in an a essence of something big sleeping.
The strict layout of most of the buildings adds to the concept: Gazing the rooftops and the architectural detail ...under no concentrated light. I have to admit that, in a second thought, this lack of shinning lights assists to a certain creation of latent majesty.
The outer part of the central lake of the city of Hamburg.
Extending for some square km, Aussen Alster sets the essential boarders of the city.
Aussen Alster is a great place to get into a variety of activities.
Rowing or sailing. Most of the students' houses in Hamburg povide canoes and paddles for a ...lake stroll on the tributaries and the Alster lake.
Jogging (Unless you are a marathon freak, I urge you: don't attempt running all this distance straight away. First, begin jogging around the Innen Alster)
And, of course, exploring. With a bike, or just on foot. After all, the banks of the river are open to public. The North-East side of the lake is perfect for watching how interesting an affluent neighborhood of houses of classic beauty can be.
Most of the Mediterraneans would be surprised to learn that there is a beach with sand, just some few kilometers close to Hamburg, along the Elbe river.
Get on a boat. Reach the boat/bus station in the area of Neumühlen. See it for yourself.
Walk along the shore. No need to get wet - I wouldn't if i were you. The general concept and the uniqueness of the place is that it's something different than what you have in mind about sandy beaches.
This place expresses another option, a beautiful alternative to walking on a Pier.
Which can be really nice.
Truth is that here you enjoy the beach, but in a completely different perspective...
Both photographs are owned by Mirko.Eggert
...
On the way back, get a bus and reach the Altona train station. Or do it on foot. The purpose is to walk side-by-side along the Elbe and the strange coastal street and the surroundings (here's an area which I never understood if was under renovation or just deserted) till you get a look of the Dockland from the land.
