The last bridge of 2013 was one in Hamburg. It only makes sense that the first one in 2014 should be too. After all, Hamburg is home, and as such unmatched. Besides it prides itself in the fact that it has more bridges than Venice 🙂This is Lombardsbrücke in the very city centre of Hamburg. The bridge marks the line between the Outer and the Inner Alster, two artificial lakes formed by the River Alster that define the cityscape of Hamburg. Where other cities have a market square – Hamburg has water. It has spoilt me forever that way with its hanseatic beauty. Even the day I took this picture, when it was almost too cold to hold the camera straight and it kept drizzling, the look of the low-lying boat drifting slowly into the arches and on to the Outer Alster put a smile on my face.
The best thing about this bridge is not its architectural beauty. It is the view from on top of it across the Inner Alster onto all the important landmarks of Hamburg. And this view includes the street lanterns with their cast-iron bases and their five-branched candelabras. When I come home to Hamburg by train, I cross over Lombardsbrücke between the main station and the last stop Altona. When I look out the window and see this, I tear up almost every time. There is no more iconic view of my city.
If you have read My Mission statement, you know why I love bridges. To me they are the most universal symbol of connection, of bringing people together and overcoming anything that may seperate us. I want to present to you pictures of bridges that I really love in places that I really love on my blog every Sunday. If you have a picture of a bridge that you would like to share with my readers as a guest post, feel free to contact me!
Februar 28, 2014 at 7:45 pm
My father grew up in Hamburg and although I grew up in Canada (Montreal, now live in Toronto) we visited Oma + Opa often. Your descriptions of Hamburg really do make me „homesick“. The memories of the harbour, Alster, Elbe, Hamburger DOM and especially the Christmas market, will always make it one of the most beautiful & magical cities in Europe for me. Keep up the wonderful blog.
April 17, 2014 at 8:26 pm
Thank you Stephanie! So glad to hear that Hamburg enchants foreigners as well – although, well, your a native of it in a way too then 🙂