The port of Hamburg in Germany celebrated its 828th anniversary early May, this year. The world’s biggest port festival, attended by over a million people, lasted three days and was celebrated in style. We bring you glimpses of the grandiose festival that included a cruise ship parade. We promise a little lesson in history too.
The Hamburg Port Anniversary dates back to May 7th 1189, when Emperor Frederick Barbarossa, issued a charter to Hamburg merchants, granting freedom from customs duties for ships sailing the Elbe from Hamburg to the North Sea.
Today, it is the second busiest port in Europe and the 15th largest, worldwide. No wonder the port is called Germany’s ‘Gateway to the World’.
The visitor numbers have been swelling, at the festival, over the years. People are drawn to the festival given its historic maritime legacy and wide-ranging events like the Grand Arrival and Departure Parades, the unique Tugboat Ballet, and dozens of open ship opportunities for the public.
