385705 5 Location 576554 <p>Among Germany's 16 states, three are so-called city-states which consist of a single city only. These are Bremen , Berlin and Hamburg. So Hamburg's town hall is not only a town hall but also the see of the senate, the local parliament. </p><p>Hamburg’s Town Hall is the seat of the city senate and the municipality of Hamburg and has 647 rooms! It is a wonderful sandstone builduing in neo-Renaissance style and was built at the end of the 19th century. The new Rathaus was inaugurated in 1897. </p><p>A very interesting fact is, that it stands on over 4000 oak posts! The ground is just too swampy to hold such an impressive building without those posts. Above the main entrance you can find a sentence in Latin which translated reads: “May the descendants seek to uphold the freedom which was won by our forefathers.” The grand banquet hall in the Rathaus is very impressive!</p><p>It is 46 m long, 18 m wide and 15 m high. Five huge paintings show the history of Hamburg from 800 to 1900, 62 coats of arms of the cities of the ancient Hanseatic league are on the walls. The three chandeliers each with 278 bulbs weigh 1500 kilos a piece! Try to have a guided tour through the Rathaus - it is worthwhile! <br />&nbsp;<br />It is possible to visit the town hall. English, French and German tours are available throughout the day. Opening times are daily from 10:00 to 15:00 (friday to sunday only until 13:00, info from May 2006). </p><p>The Rathaus is closed for visitors when special political events or similar activities take place inside. </p><p>The place in front of the Rathaus, the Rathausmarkt, is a place where public markets smaller festivals and events take place. </p><p>The Jungfernstieg along the Alster is Hamburg's main shopping street and promenade since a long time. Families used to congregate here on Sundays, chaperoning their "Jungfern", their unmarried daughters. Nowadays people are more concentrated on their shopping in both the large department stores and exquisite boutiques. </p><p>On the Jungfernstieg you'll find the Hamburger Hof arcade, where shopping aspires to the higher echelons of culture. A must here is a visit to see Blume, famous for its imaginative and tasteful flower arrangements. The arcade also boasts a captivating selection of shops that may vary in size but not in quality, each trying to outdo its neighbour in the splendour stakes. </p><p>At the Jungfernstieg one can shop - or simply window-shop - to one's heart's content. And then? Easy enough; as you have doubtless realised, the Jungfernstieg borders the Binnenalster on one side where the Alster berths are located... </p><p>A great place to kill time is the Alsterarkaden (Alster Arcades). These are located on the side of the Jungfernstieg that faces the Rathausmarkt (Townhall Square), running parallel to the Alsterfleet. There are still four of the original buildings still standing, with their old street lamps, iron balustrades, gold-plated fish and tridents between the round arches. </p><p>Simply stroll along the arcades, taking in the Mediterranean flair and exclusive shops, such as Joop. Hungry? Don't let the Persian cuisine of Saliba pass you by. Once sated you can enjoy the sights of the Mellin-Passage (Mellin Arcade), which leads back to the Neue Wall. Here you will find ceiling frescoes and glass paintings dating back to the turn of the century. Or simply take the weight off your feet by sitting on the steps leading down to the fleet, feeding the ducks and watching the Alster boats as they cruise up and down.</p> 2006-08-19T18:58:38-07:00 557842446 2006-06-09T17:00:00-07:00 0 -9223372036854775790 252893 2004359 385705 0 203718 0.162818974444048 2006-06-08T17:00:00-07:00 Published 100.0 2006-08-19T18:59:17-07:00 89178 0