We left the bnb about 8:00, so had plenty of time for the 9:03 train. As suggested by the train man at Bruxelles Central, we didn't reserve seats, but found 2 in first class that were empty. They stayed that way until we changed crew and engine at the border town of Bad Bentheim, then at the next station we were seatless. So we spent the rest of the journey in the cafe carriage. We changed trains at Hanover where there were plenty of seats, and we arrived at Hamburg Hbf just after 15:00. Very few photos worth saving - the train goes too fast and they are blurry, when you sit backwards things have gone before you know it, and trees, tunnels, cuttings and posts come past at the wrong time.
When giving their directions, many bnb operators give good details after they have said 'use the xyz exit'. In a crowded city terminus station, this is never easy, so today we found ourselves at the taxi rank before finding the right exit, and took the easy way out. We are at a hostel this time - not a 'youth' hostel - there are so many families and oldies.
We had a short rest, then went to find the way we should have come, and
continued on a walk around the top part of the city. We passed a
couple of churches and the Rathaus, and realised we needed
to wiki-up some Hamburg history.
Hamburg was bombed a few times before 1943, but in July they were the target city for Operation Gomorrah. Over 8 days and nights, they were subjected to some 9,000 toms of bombs. 35,000 were killed, nearly all the city was destroyed most in a huge firestorm that developed on 27th, {winds of up to 240kph reaching temperatures of 800 °C and altitudes in excess of 300 m} and 900,000 were displaced.
So just about everything here now is less than 80yrs old.
Hauptkirche
St. Jacobi, in English = St James', began in 1255 as a RC church
outside the city walls. It became Lutheran in 1529, and is the closest
church to the main station.
St Peter's records go back to 1195.
The Rathaus.
It has a big ground floor reception room, with a fancy ceiling ..
... and 2 fancy water fountains.
Hamburg is on the River Elbe, which begins in Czech republic. We didn't see it at its full width, but that is why they are Germany's biggest port and ship builder, and why it was bombed.
Then it was dinner time,
then we came home.
Hamburg was bombed a few times before 1943, but in July they were the target city for Operation Gomorrah. Over 8 days and nights, they were subjected to some 9,000 toms of bombs. 35,000 were killed, nearly all the city was destroyed most in a huge firestorm that developed on 27th, {winds of up to 240kph reaching temperatures of 800 °C and altitudes in excess of 300 m} and 900,000 were displaced.
So just about everything here now is less than 80yrs old.
Then it was dinner time,
then we came home.
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