Hamburg’s port was founded in 1189 by Friedrich I and has been central to Europe’s commerce ever since. It is the largest port in Germany (74 square kilometers) and the second busiest, after Rotterdam, in Europe.

The way the river Elbe curves provided ideal locations for ware houses and transshipment complexes.

The old ware house city is a marvelous sight in itself, but so are the many views from different points of industrial facilities and river traffic.

Water treatment plant called “the rotten eggs.”

Hamburg has over 2400 bridges – more than Venice or Amsterdam – here are some “drive by” samples….

 

The harbor has been one of my favorite things to explore ever since childhood since it is so alive with coming and going and a promise of foreign worlds and adventure.  During this trip I have only photographed it in passing, on my way to other locations, except for a newly built house that you can walk on (the building is designated for businesses,) and the historic water treatment fields next to the harbor and the river, which are now open to the public together with a museum covering the history.