Harbour Birthday

The establishment of the port

In 1188 the counts of Schauenburg founded the "New Town". They had founded Lübeck in 1143 and looked for a place with more convenient access to the North Sea. The location at the mouth of the Alster in the Elbe appeared to them for it very suitable. The New Town was intended from the beginning as a branch of sailors and merchants, and was also a handling and storage space for goods.

Count Adolf III of Schauenburg made ​​sure that the Emperor Friedrich Barbaross, shortly before departure for a Crusade, the hamburgers exhibited a charter, namely on 7 May 1189. The hamburgers were granted: exemption from duty for their vessels on the Elbe from the city to the North Sea,

So the gate was opened and Hamburg look at the May 7, 1189 as the birthday of the Port of Hamburg.

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