Hamburg Town Hall, Hamburg, Germany

Hamburg Town Hall was built from 1886 to 1897 and with its impressive architecture dominates the centre of the city. The magnificent sandstone building houses the city's senate and parliament.

On the outside the architectural style is neo-renaissance, which is abandoned inside for several historical elements. It is one of the few completely preserved buildings of historicism in Hamburg. Built in a period of wealth and prosperity, in which the Kingdom of Prussia and its confederates defeated France in the Franco-German War and the German Empire was formed, the look of the new Hamburg Rathaus was intended to express this wealth and also the independence of the State of Hamburg and Hamburg's republican traditions.

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Hamburg Tourism

User Reviews

Daniel Monteiro (2 years ago)
Do yourself a favour and take the 1 hr tour for 5 euro.. Our tour guide was fantastic and we were blown away by the opulence of the various rooms.

Andrew Lewis (2 years ago)
A beautiful building which is worth a visit. The area around has shops and stalls also worth visiting.

Corissa George (2 years ago)
Really enjoyed our day trip to Hamburg in April 2017. It was easy to get around & there was so much to see/do. I loved how it was just surrounded with water, always to be seen no matter where one looked. Clean city with beautiful architecture & history. Ontario, Canada

Hans Hansen (2 years ago)
In the backyard of the townhouse you find this demonstration of power based on financial success. Sit down and meditate a while about your personal values and how to save the world from corruption. Then keep walking and do good without so much empty talking about the failures of others. Enjoy!

Goh Ah (3 years ago)
Take the guided tour at 5€ to see the beautiful oak furnishings and rooms, pictures cannot do honors to the rooms, see for yourself!!! Great view of the Christmas Markets from rooms as well.

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright Erik Christensen, Porkeri

Historic Site of the week

Kirkjubøargarður

Kirkjubøargarður ('Yard of Kirkjubøur', also known as King"s Farm) is one of the oldest still inhabited wooden houses of the world. The farm itself has always been the largest in the Faroe Islands. The old farmhouse dates back to the 11th century. It was the episcopal residence and seminary of the Diocese of the Faroe Islands, from about 1100. Sverre I of Norway (1151–1202), grew up here and went to the priest school. The legend says, that the wood for the block houses came as driftwood from Norway and was accurately bundled and numbered, just for being set up. Note, that there is no forest in the Faroes and wood is a very valuable material. Many such wood legends are thus to be found in Faroese history.

The oldest part is a so-called roykstova (reek parlour, or smoke room). Perhaps it was moved one day, because it does not fit to its foundation. Another ancient room is the loftstovan (loft room). It is supposed that Bishop Erlendur wrote the 'Sheep Letter' here in 1298. This is the earliest document of the Faroes we know today. It is the statute concerning sheep breeding on the Faroes. Today the room is the farm"s library. The stórastovan (large room) is from a much later date, being built in 1772.

Though the farmhouse is a museum, the 17th generation of the Patursson Family, which has occupied it since 1550, is still living here. Shortly after the Reformation in the Faroe Islands in 1538, all the real estate of the Catholic Church was seized by the King of Denmark. This was about half of the land in the Faroes, and since then called King"s Land (kongsjørð). The largest piece of King"s Land was the farm in Kirkjubøur due to the above-mentioned Episcopal residence. This land is today owned by the Faroese government, and the Paturssons are tenants from generation to generation. It is always the oldest son, who becomes King"s Farmer, and in contrast to the privately owned land, the King"s Land is never divided between the sons.

The farm holds sheep, cattle and some horses. It is possible to get a coffee here and buy fresh mutton and beef directly from the farmer. In the winter season there is also hare hunting for the locals. Groups can rent the roykstovan for festivities and will be served original Faroese cuisine.

Other famous buildings directly by the farmhouse are the Magnus Cathedral and the Saint Olav"s Church, which also date back to the mediaeval period. All three together represent the Faroe Island"s most interesting historical site.

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