Altona (), also called Hamburg-Altona, is the westernmost urban borough (''Bezirk'') of the German

city state A city-state is an independent sovereign city which serves as the center of political, economic, and cultural life over its contiguous territory. They have existed in many parts of the world throughout history, including cities such as Rome, ...

Hamburg Hamburg (, ; ), officially the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg,. is the List of cities in Germany by population, second-largest city in Germany after Berlin and List of cities in the European Union by population within city limits, 7th-lar ...

. Located on the right bank of the

Elbe The Elbe ( ; ; or ''Elv''; Upper Sorbian, Upper and , ) is one of the major rivers of Central Europe. It rises in the Giant Mountains of the northern Czech Republic before traversing much of Bohemia (western half of the Czech Republic), then Ge ...

river, Altona had a population of 270,263 in 2016. From 1640 to 1864, Altona was under the administration of the Danish monarchy. Altona was an independent borough until 1937.

History

Danish period

Altona was founded in 1535 as a village of fishermen in what was then Holstein-Pinneberg. In 1640, Altona came under Danish rule as part of Holstein-Glückstadt, and in 1664 was granted municipal rights by the Danish King Frederik III, who then ruled in

personal union A personal union is a combination of two or more monarchical states that have the same monarch while their boundaries, laws, and interests remain distinct. A real union, by contrast, involves the constituent states being to some extent in ...

as Duke of Holstein. Altona was one of the Danish monarchy's most important harbor towns. The railway from Altona to

Kiel Kiel ( ; ) is the capital and most populous city in the northern Germany, German state of Schleswig-Holstein. With a population of around 250,000, it is Germany's largest city on the Baltic Sea. It is located on the Kieler Förde inlet of the Ba ...

, the Hamburg-Altona–Kiel railway (), was opened in 1844.

Imperial period

The wars between

Denmark Denmark is a Nordic countries, Nordic country in Northern Europe. It is the metropole and most populous constituent of the Kingdom of Denmark,, . also known as the Danish Realm, a constitutionally unitary state that includes the Autonomous a ...

and the

German Confederation The German Confederation ( ) was an association of 39 predominantly German-speaking sovereign states in Central Europe. It was created by the Congress of Vienna in 1815 as a replacement of the former Holy Roman Empire, which had been dissolved ...

– the

First Schleswig War The First Schleswig War (), also known as the Schleswig-Holstein uprising () and the Three Years' War (), was a military conflict in southern Denmark and northern Germany rooted in the Schleswig–Holstein question: who should control the Du ...

(1848–1851) and the

Second Schleswig War The Second Schleswig War (; or German Danish War), also sometimes known as the Dano-Prussian War or Prusso-Danish War, was the second military conflict over the Schleswig–Holstein question of the nineteenth century. The war began on 1 Februar ...

(February–October 1864) led to Denmark's cession of the Duchies of Schleswig,

Holstein Holstein (; ; ; ; ) is the region between the rivers Elbe and Eider (river), Eider. It is the southern half of Schleswig-Holstein, the northernmost States of Germany, state of Germany. Holstein once existed as the German County of Holstein (; 8 ...

and

Lauenburg Lauenburg (), or Lauenburg an der Elbe (; ), is a town in the state of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. It is situated on the northern bank of the river Elbe, east of Hamburg. It is overall the southernmost town of Schleswig-Holstein and belongs to ...

; they were initially jointly administered as a

condominium A condominium (or condo for short) is an ownership regime in which a building (or group of buildings) is divided into multiple units that are either each separately owned, or owned in common with exclusive rights of occupation by individual own ...

by Prussian and Austrian administration. With the Gastein Convention of 14 August 1865, Holstein came under solely Austrian administration, while Schleswig and Lauenburg came under Prussian authority. After the

Austro-Prussian War The Austro-Prussian War (German: ''Preußisch-Österreichischer Krieg''), also known by many other names,Seven Weeks' War, German Civil War, Second War of Unification, Brothers War or Fraternal War, known in Germany as ("German War"), ''Deutsc ...

, Schleswig-Holstein as a whole became the Prussian

province of Schleswig-Holstein The Province of Schleswig-Holstein ( ) was a province of the Kingdom of Prussia (from 1868 to 1918) and the Free State of Prussia (from 1918 to 1946). History It was created from the Duchies of Schleswig and Holstein, which had been conquere ...

in 1867 and as such Altona became part of the

German Empire The German Empire (),; ; World Book, Inc. ''The World Book dictionary, Volume 1''. World Book, Inc., 2003. p. 572. States that Deutsches Reich translates as "German Realm" and was a former official name of Germany. also referred to as Imperia ...

in 1871. In the same year, the town was hit by

cholera Cholera () is an infection of the small intestine by some Strain (biology), strains of the Bacteria, bacterium ''Vibrio cholerae''. Symptoms may range from none, to mild, to severe. The classic symptom is large amounts of watery diarrhea last ...

, with a minimum of 16 casualties in Altona. Because of severe restrictions on the number of

Jew Jews (, , ), or the Jewish people, are an ethnoreligious group and nation, originating from the Israelites of ancient Israel and Judah. They also traditionally adhere to Judaism. Jewish ethnicity, religion, and community are highly inte ...

s allowed to live in Hamburg until 1864 (with the exception of 1811–1815), a major Jewish community developed in Altona starting in 1611, when Count Ernest of Schaumburg and Holstein-Pinneberg granted the first permanent residence permits to Ashkenazic Jews. Members did business both in Hamburg and in Altona itself. All that remains after the

Nazi Nazism (), formally named National Socialism (NS; , ), is the far-right politics, far-right Totalitarianism, totalitarian socio-political ideology and practices associated with Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party (NSDAP) in Germany. During H ...

Holocaust The Holocaust (), known in Hebrew language, Hebrew as the (), was the genocide of History of the Jews in Europe, European Jews during World War II. From 1941 to 1945, Nazi Germany and Collaboration with Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy ...

during

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

are the Jewish cemeteries, but in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, the community was a major center of Jewish life and

scholarship A scholarship is a form of Student financial aid, financial aid awarded to students for further education. Generally, scholarships are awarded based on a set of criteria such as academic merit, Multiculturalism, diversity and inclusion, athleti ...

. Holstein-Pinneberg and later Danish Holstein had lower taxes and placed fewer civil impositions on their Jewish community than did the

government of Hamburg The government of Hamburg is divided into Executive (government), executive, Legislature, legislative and judiciary, judicial branches. Hamburg is a city-state and municipality, and thus its governance deals with several details of both state and ...

History from 1918 to 1945

During the Weimar era following

World War I World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...

, the town of Altona was disturbed by major labor strikes and street disorders. Inflation in Germany was a major problem. In 1923, Max Brauer, the mayor of Altona, directed that town personnel should be paid in part with gas meter tokens, as the tokens did not lose value from inflation. The most notable event at that time was the

Altona Bloody Sunday Altona Bloody Sunday () is the name given to the events of 17 July 1932 when a recruitment march by the Sturmabteilung, Nazi SA led to violent clashes between the police, the SA and supporters of the Communist Party of Germany (KPD) in Alt ...

(German: ) on 17 July 1932, when 18 people were killed, all but two by police, during a violent clash between

marchers and members or supporters of the Communist Party. After police raids and a special court, on 1 August 1933, Bruno Tesch and others were found guilty and put to death by beheading with a hand-held axe. In 1938, the Greater Hamburg Act removed Altona from the

Free State of Prussia The Free State of Prussia (, ) was one of the States of the Weimar Republic, constituent states of Weimar Republic, Germany from 1918 to 1947. The successor to the Kingdom of Prussia after the defeat of the German Empire in World War I, it cont ...

in 1937 and merged it (and several surrounding towns) with the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg.

Modern history

In the 1990s, the

Federal Republic of Germany Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It lies between the Baltic Sea and the North Sea to the north and the Alps to the south. Its sixteen constituent states have a total population of over 84 ...

reversed the convictions of Tesch and the other men who were put to death, clearing their names. On 1 February 2007, the ''Ortsämter'' (district offices) in Hamburg were done away with. In Altona, the districts of Blankenese, Lurup and Osdorf had existed and had local offices. On 1 March 2008, the Schanzenviertel neighborhood, which had spanned parts of the boroughs of Altona, Eimsbüttel and Hamburg-Mitte, became the Sternschanze quarter, the entirety of which is now in the Altona borough. Altona is noted for being the site of the popular Altona Fischmarkt.

Borough profile

Commentators and politicians, including former member of the

Hamburg Parliament The Hamburg Parliament (; literally “Hamburgish Citizenry” or, more poetically, “Hamburgish Burgess (title), Burgessry”) is the Unicameralism, unicameral legislature of the German state of Hamburg according to the constitution of Hamburg. ...

, have noted that neighborhoods in Altona is diverse in terms of social conditions. Von Berg noted that poverty present in the Lurup and Osdorf quarters contrast with the affluent Blankenese and

Nienstedten Nienstedten () is a quarter in the city of Hamburg, Germany. It belongs to the Altona borough on the right bank of the Elbe river. Nienstedten is home to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea. In 2020 the population was 7,114. Geogr ...

quarters within the borough.

Geography

The border of Altona to the south is the River

, and across the river the state of

Lower Saxony Lower Saxony is a States of Germany, German state (') in Northern Germany, northwestern Germany. It is the second-largest state by land area, with , and fourth-largest in population (8 million in 2021) among the 16 ' of the Germany, Federal Re ...

and the boroughs of Harburg and Hamburg-Mitte. To the east is the borough of Hamburg-Mitte and to the north is the borough of

Eimsbüttel Eimsbüttel () is one of the seven boroughs (Bezirke) of Hamburg, Germany. In 2020, the borough had a population of 269,118. History On March 1, 2008 Eimsbüttel lost part of its area to the borough Altona where it formed the Sternschanze quar ...

. The western border is with the state of

Schleswig-Holstein Schleswig-Holstein (; ; ; ; ; occasionally in English ''Sleswick-Holsatia'') is the Northern Germany, northernmost of the 16 states of Germany, comprising most of the historical Duchy of Holstein and the southern part of the former Duchy of S ...

. According to the statistical office of Hamburg, Altona has an area of 77.5 km² or 29.9 sq mi in 2006.

Quarters

Politically, the following quarters () are part of Altona borough: # Altona-Altstadt # Altona-Nord # Bahrenfeld # Ottensen # Othmarschen (including parts of Klein Flottbek) # Groß Flottbek # Osdorf # Lurup #

(including parts of Klein Flottbek) # Blankenese # Iserbrook # Sülldorf # Rissen # Sternschanze

Demographics

In 2018, Altona had a population of 274,702 people. 18.0% are children under the age of 18 and 17.9% are 65 years of age or older. 16.2% are immigrants. 5.0% of people are registered as unemployed. In 2018, 53,4% of all households are single-person households. There are 195 kindergartens and 31 primary schools in Altona as well as 879 physicians in private practice, 254 dentists and 60 pharmacies.

Politics

Simultaneously with elections to the state parliament (''Bürgerschaft''), the ''Bezirksversammlung'' is elected as representatives of the citizens. It consists of 51 representatives.

Elections

, - ! colspan="2" style="text-align:left;" , Parties ! % ! ± ! Seats , - , style="background-color:" , , style="text-align:left;" ,

Alliance 90/The Greens Alliance 90/The Greens (, ), often simply referred to as Greens (, ), is a Green (politics), green political party in Germany. It was formed in 1993 by the merger of the Greens (formed in West Germany in 1980) and Alliance 90 (formed in East Ger ...

, 27.6 , 7.5 , style="text-align:center;" , 14 , - , style="background-color:" , , style="text-align:left;" ,

Social Democratic Party The name Social Democratic Party or Social Democrats has been used by many political parties in various countries around the world. Such parties are most commonly aligned to social democracy as their political ideology. Active parties Form ...

, 21.6 , 1.2 , style="text-align:center;" , 11 , - , style="background-color:" , , style="text-align:left;" , Christian Democratic Union , 18.0 , 1.4 , style="text-align:center;" , 9 , - , style="background-color:" , , style="text-align:left;" , The Left , 12.8 , 2.0 , style="text-align:center;" , 7 , - , style="background-color:" , , style="text-align:left;" , Free Democratic Party , 7.6 , 0.8 , style="text-align:center;" , 4 , - , style="background-color:" , , style="text-align:left;" ,

Volt The volt (symbol: V) is the unit of electric potential, Voltage#Galvani potential vs. electrochemical potential, electric potential difference (voltage), and electromotive force in the International System of Units, International System of Uni ...

, 5.6 , 5.6 , style="text-align:center;" , 3 , - , style="background-color:" , , style="text-align:left;" ,

Alternative for Germany Alternative for Germany (, AfD, ) is a Far-right politics in Germany (1945–present), far-right,Far-right: * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Right-wing populism, right-wing populist and National conservatism, national-conservative p ...

, 5.5 , 1.1 , style="text-align:center;" , 3 , - , style="background-color:#eeeeee" , , style="text-align:left;" , Others , 0.6 , 0.2 , style="text-align:center;" , 0 , - ! colspan="2" style="text-align:left;" , Total ! style="text-align:center;" colspan="2", ! style="text-align:center;" , 51

Transport

Altona is the location of a major railway station, Hamburg-Altona, connecting the

Hamburg S-Bahn The Hamburg S-Bahn is a rapid transit railway system in the Hamburg Metropolitan Region. Together, the S-Bahn, the Hamburg U-Bahn, the AKN Eisenbahn, AKN railway and the regional railway form the backbone of railway public transport in the city ...

with the regional railways and local bus lines. The A 7 autobahn passes through Altona borough. According to the Department of Motor Vehicles (Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt), in Altona 87,131 private cars were registered (359 cars per 1000 people).Source: statistical office Nord of Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein (2006)

Notable people

* Jean de Labadie (1610–1674), French Christian mystic who died in Altona. * Gluckel of Hameln (1646–1724), Jewish businesswoman and diarist. * Jonathan Eybeschutz (1690–1764), was a

Talmudist The Talmud (; ) is the central text of Rabbinic Judaism and the primary source of Jewish religious law (''halakha'') and Jewish theology. Until the advent of Haskalah#Effects, modernity, in nearly all Jewish communities, the Talmud was the cen ...

, Halachist, and Kabbalist who died in Altona. *

Jacob Emden Jacob Emden, also known as the Yaʿavetz (June 4, 1697 – April 19, 1776), was a leading German rabbi and talmudist who championed traditional Judaism in the face of the growing influence of the Sabbatean movement. He was widely acclaimed for ...

(1697–1776), was a Talmudist, Halachist, and Kabbalist who lived most his life in Altona. * Meshullam Solomon (1723-1794), rabbi and son of Jacob Emden. *

Johann Friedrich Struensee Count, Lensgreve Johann Friedrich Struensee (5 August 1737 – 28 April 1772) was a German-Danish physician, philosopher and statesman. He became royal physician to the mentally ill King Christian VII of Denmark and a minister in the Danish gov ...

(1737–1772), doctor of medicine, ''de facto'' ruler of Denmark-Norway. * Jens Jacob Eschels (1757–1842), nautical captain, author of the oldest known captain's autobiography in Germany (Born in Nieblum, died in Altona). * Conrad Hinrich Donner (1774–1854), banker and philanthropist, of Donners Park, Altona * Johann Heinrich Wohlien (1779–1842), organ builderFock, Gustave; ''Hamburgs Anteil am Orgelbau im niederdeutschen Kulturgebiet'' (''Hamburg's share in organ building in the Low German cultural area'') 1939 p.369
online
* John Henry Weber (1779–1859), fur trader and explorer in the Rocky Mountains, born and raised in Altona. * Akiba Israel Wertheimer (1778–1835), was chief Rabbi in Altona from 1815 to 1835 * George Jarvis (Philhellene) (1797–1828), was the first of the American Philhellenes who took part in the Greek Revolution 1821–1829, general of Greek army, born in Altona. * Johannes Groenland (1824–1891), botanist and microscopist who worked for Louis de Vilmorin in Paris and was born in Altona. * Carl Reinecke (1824–1910), composer, conductor, and pianist was born in Altona * Carl Semper (1832–1893), German ethnologist and animal ecologist * Georg Semper (1837–1909), German entomologist * Sophie Wörishöffer (1838–1890), was a writer of adventure stories for young people who died in Altona. *

Bernhard von Bülow Bernhard Heinrich Karl Martin, Prince of Bülow ( ; 3 May 1849 – 28 October 1929) was a German politician who served as the chancellor of the German Empire, imperial chancellor of the German Empire and minister-president of Prussia from 1900 to ...

(1849–1929), German politician and chancellor * Constantin Brunner (1862–1937), German philosopher, grandson of Akiba Israel Wertheimer, was born in Altona * Carlos Schwabe (1866-1926), painter and printmaker of the Symbolist art movement * Karl Yens (1868–1945),

plein-air ''En plein air'' (; French language, French for 'outdoors'), or plein-air painting, is the act of painting outdoors. This method contrasts with studio painting or academic rules that might create a predetermined look. The theory of 'En plein ai ...

painter of Southern California, born in Altona. *

Carl F. W. Borgward Carl Friedrich Wilhelm Borgward (10 November 1890 in Altona, Hamburg – 28 July 1963 in Bremen (city), Bremen) was a German engineer and designer and the creator of the Borgward group, based in Bremen. Biography He was of modest origin, the so ...

(1890–1963), German engineer, car designer and businessman * Friedrich Völtzer (1895–1951), German politician was born in Altona * Johannes de Boer (1897–1986), Highly decorated

Generalleutnant () is the German-language variant of lieutenant general, used in some German speaking countries. Austria Generalleutnant is the second highest general officer rank in the Austrian Armed Forces (''Bundesheer''), roughly equivalent to the NATO ...

during

, was born in Altona. * Louise Schroeder (1887–1957), German politician (SPD) * Carl Theodor Sørensen, (1893–1979), Danish landscape architect was born in Altona *

Fatih Akın Fatih Akin (, born 25 August 1973) is a Turkish-German film director, screenwriter and producer. His films have won numerous awards and accolades, including the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival for his film '' Head-On'' (2004), Best Scr ...

, (born 1973), Turkish film director was raised in Altona * Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, (born 1989),

Cameroon Cameroon, officially the Republic of Cameroon, is a country in Central Africa. It shares boundaries with Nigeria to the west and north, Chad to the northeast, the Central African Republic to the east, and Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the R ...

ian footballer was born in Altona

References

Sources

Statistical office Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein
Statistisches Amt für Hamburg und Schleswig-Holstein, official website *Act of the areal organisation, 6 July 200

* Stolpersteine Hamburg ttp://87.106.6.17/stolpersteine-hamburg.de/en.php?&LANGUAGE=EN&MAIN_ID=7&BIO_ID=234 ''Stolpersteine in Hamburg ''

External links

*
altona.INFO newspaper with daily local information
*
The Jewish Community of Altona
The Museum of the Jewish People at Beit Hatfutsot {{Authority control Boroughs of Hamburg Populated places established in 1535 1535 establishments in the Holy Roman Empire