[Photo from hamburg-travel.com]

The four-hectare "green island" between Hamburg's Neustadt towards the Reeperbahn or to the Elbe is not to be missed.

The first International Garden Show (IGA) in Hamburg took place here in the Alter Elbpark in 1869. Even from a distance, you can see the Bismarck monument - it is the largest and most famous Bismarck statue in the world. The Casparus Bastion of the Hamburg ramparts once stood here; a simple refreshment booth was built in 1806, which was expanded in 1816 to a permanent "Elbpavillon".

The highest monument in Hamburg today was - like its location - not without controversy even then and was dedicated on 2 June 1906 after three years of construction. Bismarck supports himself on his sword and looks seaward; figures of the Germanic tribes were later added at his feet and are meant to symbolise the unity of the tribes. The granite blocks used for the monument are from Kappelrodeck in the Black Forest.

The park is an important garden monument and the maintenance and development concept is the basis for restoration of ecological qualities that have been lost.

Address: St. Pauli Millerntordamm, Helgoländer Allee, Am Elbpark, Hamburg