EL MITO DE ROMMEL 23

Theodor-Heuss-Platz. Map 7 B4.

 Stephansplatz.  Dammtor.

@ 4, 5, 34, 112.

Without a doubt, this glass-and-steel Art Nouveau building is Hamburg’s most beautiful train station. At the time it was built, in 1903, state guests were greeted here; it was therefore also known as the “Kaiserbahnhof”

(the Emperor’s train station).

Due to its pro xi mity to the Messezentrum (trade fair) and Kongress zentrum (conference centre), Damm tor is now also called the “Messebahnhof”

The railway station Hamburg Dammtor – an Art Nouveau building dating from 1903

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as Sophia Loren, opera singers such as Plácido Domingo, business czars including

Aristotle Onassis, and rock musicians such as the Rolling

Stones have stayed in this magni ficent white

building. The hotel has been part of the luxury hotel group Fairmont Hotels & Resorts since 2007. Hanseati c understatement has always been a hotel trademark; you won’t

find glitter and opulent furniture here. But the ambience is splendid – not least due to the Gobelins (tapestries) and oak in the salon off the entrance.

(trade fair station). Each day, about 200 long-distance trains (including ICE and IC trains), 80 local trains and 500 S-Bahns serving three lines stop here.

The station’s hall is 23 m (75 ft) high, 112 m (367 ft) long and 35 m (115 ft) wide. Around 100 years after it was first built, the hall and train platforms were extensively renovated. Its appeal comes from its ceiling, which resembles a vaulted roof.

6

Pöseldorf

Map 7 C1–2, 8 D1–2.  Hallerstraße.

@ 34.

Between the Außen alster and Mittelweg and between Harveste huder Weg and Badestraße lies Pöseldorf, the Alster’s finest area. Its character is best expressed by the antique dealers, galleries and exclusive fashion boutiques here. German fashion de signer Jil Sander opened her first store here in the Milchstraße in 1967. The most fashionable villas outside of Blankenese are located in Pöseldorf. Among the large companies headquartered in this area is the publisher Milchstraße am Mittelweg.

Despite the elite ambience, a lively bar scene has sprung up here. The Hochschule für Musik und Theater (Music and Theatre School) is also here, on Harvestehuder Weg No. 12.

Together with two other streets, Große Bleichen and Neuer Wall which lead off to the southwest, Jungfernstieg is today a luxury shopping mile made even more attractive by the white arches of the Alster Arcades (see p58).

Neuer Jungfernstieg is a street running along the west side of the Binnenalster. Its appeal lies less in shopping opportunities than in the impressive buildings

which line it. Hotel

porter

www.ebook3000.com

www.ebook3000.com

7

Außenalster

Map 8 D1–E4. @ 6, 25, 34, 37.

This lake, measuring some 3 km (1.8 miles) in length, was formed by damming up the river Alster. It is a perfect place to sail or paddle a boat.

A large number of restaurants line its shore; these are often hopelessly crowded during good weather. Excursion boats ply the Alster on a zig-zag course, and passengers can embark and disembark at the dock of their choice.

Along the lake’s western shore stretches an expansive green space, the Alstervorland, which is used for leisure activities. Joggers in particular love the 7.6-km (4.7-mile) loop through the park.

The Hotel Atlantic Kempinski, located directly on the Alster 1 2 8



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Hotel Atlantic Kempinski

An der Alster 72–79. Map 8 D4.

Tel 288 80.  Hauptbahnhof.

 Hauptbahnhof. @ 4, 5, 6, 31, 34, 35, 36, 37. ∑ kempinski.com/de/

hamburg/hotel-atlantic Hamburgers fondly call this hotel, which was built in 1909,

“the white palace on the Alster”.

In its 245 spacious rooms and suites, travellers from around the world are provided with every comfort to make their stay in Hamburg perfect. The guest book contains names of such luminaries as Herbert von Karajan, Charles de Gaulle and Michael Jack son. Politicians meet in the Atlantic Kempinski to exchange opinions at the highest level.

The hotel’s façade, as well as its multifaceted interior, has often served as a location for films and television shows.

In 2004 the Hotel Atlantic Kempinski created a splash by being the first to open a pri-vate cinema in a German hotel.

Up to eight people can watch films in this deluxe cinema.

8

Museum für Völkerkunde

Rothenbaumchaussee 64. Map 7 B2.

Tel 428 87 90.  Hallerstraße.

@ 34. Open 10am–6pm Tue–Sun (Thu to 9pm). Closed 1 Jan, 1 May, 24, 25 & 31 Dec. & - = 7

∑ voelkerkundemuseum.com A cross-section of the world’s cultures is on display in this anthropological museum that

was founded in 1879.

Since 1912, it has been housed in its current stately

building. About 350,000 items

and almost as many documen-tary photographs are on display here. The exhibits have been gathered from areas as dispar ate as Africa, Oceania, the Americas and the Far East. Unique in Germany is the archive dedicated to Sculpture, Hotel

Atlantic Kempinski

exploring the modern-day belief in witchcraft.

Each autumn, a “Peoples’

Market” is held in the museum’s rooms, with exhibitors from around the world showing and selling their works.

The Außenalster – popular for sailing, rowing and canoeing

Southwest view of the Binnenalster, with the towers of the Rathaus and St Nikolai Memorial in the distance

0

St Georg

Map 8 D4–F5.  Hauptbahnhof, Lohmühlenstraße.  Haupt bahn hof.

@ 4, 5, 6, 31, 34, 35, 36, 37.

From the splendid buildings along the Alster to student digs, from pricey restaurants to local eateries, from boutiques to corner shops – this district can hardly be beaten in terms of diversity. The street Lange Reihe exudes multi cultural flair.

Snack bars and shops selling arts and crafts can be found here. German actor Hans Albers was born on this street (No. 71). “Koppel 66” (No. 75) is home to ateliers for jewellery-making, book design and writing instrument design, as well as a vegetarian café.

r

Literaturhaus

Schwanenwik 38. Map 8 F2.

Tel 22 70 20 11. @ 6, 37. -

∑ literaturhaus-hamburg.de Hamburg has a lively literary scene and many well-known authors live here. An important centre for the German

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w

Museum für