Hamburg - Harbour

Hamburg is the second largest city by population in Germany and the second smallest German state by area.

"Hammaburg" was the name of a castle, that Charlemagne commissioned here between the River Alster and the River Elbe. In 1189 Frederick I (aka "Barbarossa") granted Hamburg the status of an "Imperial Free City". This (probably forged) charter, granting freedom from customs duties for ships sailing the Elbe from Hamburg to the North Sea, was issued May 07 1189. So Hamburg celebrates an annual "Hafengeburtstag" ("Harbour Birthday") in early May. A festival I did not know about and so I was surprised, when all hotels were fully booked for a weekend.

As a member of the Hanseatic League Hamburg developed into a very sucessful trading city. The harbour is the second largest port in Europe.