Town Hall

You probably feel quite small standing in front of this stone giant. Hamburg’s Town Hall is truly impressive, showing off all the grandeur of its neo-Renaissance style. The original town hall burned down in the Great Fire of 1842, which devastated much of the city. At the time, Hamburg didn’t have the money to rebuild, and it wasn’t until 1854 that plans for a replacement began to take shape. The citizens were picky—43 designs from leading architects were rejected. A second competition in 1876 brought 28 more proposals… all turned down. It took another five years for the people of Hamburg to finally approve the design by a local architect, who won them over with his neo-Renaissance vision. Even then, construction took 13 more years. Between wars, financial crises, and cholera outbreaks, it was no easy feat, but here it stands – and it was well worth the wait. Fifty years passed between the fire and the grand opening of this building! Today, it’s home to the city’s authorities – the Parliament and the Senate. Let’s not forget that Germany is a federal republic, made up of highly autonomous regional states. You wouldn’t guess it at first glance, but the ground here is so marshy that the entire building rests on 4,000 oak pillars. Solid as a rock on the outside, it’s also a feast for the eyes. Look closely, and you’ll see 20 statues of emperors, including Charlemagne, Frederick Barbarossa, Napoleon and Otto I. Above them, in the window lintels, are 28 busts of traditional Hamburg trades: fishermen, ship captains, merchants, chimney sweeps, potters, cobblers, stonemasons, judges, pastors… and yes, brewers too. You’ll also spot the coats of arms of Hanseatic cities, a historic alliance of trading cities around the North Sea that Hamburg belonged to, along with symbols of senators and historic guilds. And at the very top, just under the clock, a phoenix spreads its wings: a nod to Hamburg’s rebirth after the fire, like the mythical bird rising from the ashes. The interior is well worth a visit and can be explored on guided tours. This is where major official events are held. Inside, you’ll find a vast ballroom covered in paintings that tell the story of Hamburg. All in all, the Town Hall is one of Hamburg’s crown jewels – and an absolute must-see on your visit.