North of Germany, we find one of the most important and dynamic metropolises in Europe. This is Hamburg, a city famous for its ports and immense commercial activity, which in recent years has become popular as a tourist destination in high demand. Are you going to meet her? Do not forget to stop by the Speicherstadt, we assure you that you will love it.
The history of the Speicherstadt begins at the end of the 19th century, when Hamburg had become part of the German Empire and its ports could no longer be used as free zones for merchandise arriving from other parts of the world.
Until that time, the sailors and merchants who traded on the Hamburg docks did not have to pay taxes, so with the arrival of the new customs laws, it was feared that trade would decrease.
To solve the problem, a special free zone was created, where goods could be freely sold. This port, built between canals and huge wooden bases, would be known as Speicherstadt.
The Speicherstadt continued to grow throughout the first decades of the 20th century, and shortly before the start of World War II, it was the place where Germany’s most valuable merchandise was stored, ranging from coffee beans to exotic Persian rugs.
However, Hamburg was the victim of attacks and bombardments, which affected the structure of the Speicherstadt. This remained closed for some years, until the reconstruction work began.
Today, the docks and warehouses of the Speicherstadt are once again one of the busiest spaces in the city. Although they still keep merchandise and are still a large commercial area, many of their warehouses were converted into cafes and restaurants.
This transformation brought with it an enormous number of visitors, who not only wanted to sit and enjoy a pleasant time in a cozy cafe, but also wanted to see the incredible structure of the Speicherstadt up close.
Similarly, the best-known free zone in Hamburg is its cultural space, since here are the headquarters of several museums, including the friendly Miniatur-Wunderland and the equally interesting Customs Museum.
The entire place, which covers some 630,000 m2, was designed to follow a notorious neo-Gothic style, which highlights the reddish color of its bricks, its green roofs and its imposing facades. These very special characteristics made the Speicherstadt recognized as a World Heritage Site in 2015.
So if you want to visit one of the corners with more things to see and do in the whole city, the Speicherstadt is the perfect option, especially if you are traveling as a family.
This space is open all year round, and you can go whenever you want. In addition, admission to the Speicherstadt is free, although several of its attractions, such as museums and cafes, are paid.
In the same way, remember that Hamburg is a city with cold and humid winters, so it is more advisable to visit the Speicherstadt when the weather is more temperate, as it happens between the months of June to August.
However, the Christmas markets and festive decorations add a special touch to the Speicherstadt, so if you want to enjoy them, wear a warm coat and go discover all that these fantastic docks have for you.
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