Elbe

Lovely day in Hamburg exploring. So easy to walk round and we chose a walking tour starting at the Rathaus seeing all the main sights.
Really moved by the St Nikolai church which was decimated in Operation Gomorrah. The centre and roof of the church were lost in temperatures of 1200 degrees and 50,000 people in three days of fire. Still two ends of the church remain, supported by the brown bricks to contrast with the original. The city was resurrected by prisoners of war from the local camps so a memorial to those who worked in the hellish conditions.
Fire seems to have decimated Hamburg throughout the ages.with lots of buildings on their fifth and sixth version. Still a very impressive city with lots more to see.
Finished up and went for a sticky bun in the Portuguese quarter and then down to the Elbe. We found the Alte Tunnel and crossed under the Elbe popping up t’other side with a great view across to the Elbphilharmonie which cost Hamburg 800 million euros ( instead of the 70 million projected) to build. Sounds familiar!
We then headed back up to the beautiful St Michael’s church and went almost to the very top for the best views of the city.
We headed along to Saint Pauli market on the Reeperbahn and had a rather tasty burger although we have not a clue what was in it… pickled? Mustard coleslaw and other random yum ingredients.
Rain back to the hotel, gin in the bar, bed by 9.30 :))