SPEICHERSTADT HAMBURG'S OLD WAREHOUSE CITY
History, Dungeons and Model Railroads
One
the most distinctive sights to see along Hamburg’s Elbe riverfront
whether walking or by boat tour, probably better by both, the Speicherstadt,
meaning “Storehouse City” is a collection of century old
warehouses built on the harbor for the storing of shipping freight. The
red brick 120 year old buildings built originally in 1885-88 are distinguished
by the ropes still in use today from which dockworkers lift the cargo
from the water by men tugging a pulley to the floors above the water
line. The floors are still used to hold coffee, tea and spices from around
the world, but more important is “oriental” rugs. The Speicherstadt
ships almost one third of the world’s international carpet production.
The
Speicherstadt is a ten minute walk from Hamburg’s main tourist
center dock. Walking the causeways from one warehouse block across the
canals is a good spot to watch the harbor cruise boats and shipping barges
navigate the canals with the Elbe rivers rising and lowering tides (see Hamburg
Harbor). The harbor tour boats are located within a few
minutes walk and usually start their journey through the Speicherstadt
canals. But if you’re
not in the shipping business the complex also houses several museums
and
exhibitions.
The Speicherstadt
Museum which takes
up two floors is a “hands-on” experience of the dockland
life of tea and coffee traders, warehousemen, bales of rubber and measuring
instruments, with historic pictures, maps and plans of this unique
monument to cargo history. Admission is only 3 Euro. So, hoist a bale.
The Miniature
Wonderland next door boasts the largest Model Railroad
layout in the world with more than 450 trains and 7,000 carriages traveling
through trees, figures, cars, platforms, houses and bridges make up
an incredibly realistic model landscape with the trains controlled
by a
master computer for a complete realistic rail world, even to the shifting
from day into night. Adults admission is 9 Euro and kids under 16 are
4 Euro or free if you've got your own miniature shorty under three
And not exactly in the basement the Hamburg
Dungeon is a themed attraction
which presents over 1,000 years of history from the great Hamburg fire
to the pirate Stoertebeker, with live actors and theatrical effects
portaying
Hamburg’s dark past. The central attraction is the water ride
based on the storm tide of 1717 allowing visitors to experience the
power of
the wind and floods. The ride is about ten minutes and the price for
the Hamburg Dungeon is about 15 Euro. It is one of several such attractions
from this company in Europe, set up in cities like York and Amsterdam.
Also located in the Speicerstadt are the Hamburg Maritime Musuem, German Customs Museum, the Spice Museum, the Afghanistan Museum, and the HafenCity InfoCenter. © Bargain Travel Europe
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SEE ALSO:
WHAT
TO DO IN SUMMER IN BERLIN & HAMBURG
GLUCKSTADT
- FERRY ACROSS THE ELBE
ST.
MICHAELIS - HAMBURG LANDMARK
HAMBURG'S
REEPERBAHN - ALL NIGHT PARTY
BERLIN
MINIATURE MODEL RAILWAY
