The Portuguese district: a journey through history and enjoyment in Hamburg

The Portuguese district: a journey through history and enjoyment in Hamburg

The Portuguese district in Hamburg, located not far from the landing bridge, is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. The district was created in the 1970s when Spanish and Portuguese immigrants increasingly settled in the area. These immigrants found a new home among the cheap old buildings from the Wilhelminian era and were often active in the areas of port work and trade. As early as the 1950s and 60s, the neighborhood was characterized by lively gastronomy and harbor pubs, which led to the development of a unique culinary heritage. Today there are around 40 gastronomic companies that primarily offer traditional Iberian cuisine. During the summer months, Ditmar-Koel-Straße is a popular attraction where passers-by between tables of the Portuguese restaurants and souvenir stands stroll.

The atmosphere in the district is Mediterranean, shaped by the tempting smells fried fish and fresh seafood. This interplay of culinary and culture creates a unique experience that reflects the soul of Hamburg.

historical immigration waves

The history of the Portuguese district is not only shaped by the immigrants of the 20th century, but is back to the 16th century. At that time, a first wave of immigration came from Jews to Hamburg, who were looking for refuge as faith in the city. These immigrants, known as Christãos Novos, Conversos and Marranos, were forced to conversion Jews who were forced under the pressure of the Catholic Church. Despite the prevailing religious intolerance, the city of Hamburg provided a certain protection for the Sephardic Jews who did not live in the Portuguese district, but also in the urban area and in the Danish Altona. The term Sephardim is derived from the Hebrew word for the Iberian Peninsula.

Jews have not been allowed to live in Hamburg since the Middle Ages, but this changed in 1612 when the city government increasingly put economic interests in the foreground. Hamburg was interested in participating in the trade on the Atlantic, and the Portuguese Jews brought valuable trade contacts, especially with regard to Chinese porcelain.

religious tolerance and conflicts

The decision to admit the Jews was the result of intensive debates within the city government. Although some Lutheran theologians supported the admission of Jews, the majority was skeptical. At the time, Judaism was considered a threat to Christianity, which led to tensions and conflicts. From 1647, these tensions escalated as preachers publicly preached against the Jews and further fueled the fear of blasphemy. The Portuguese Jews who were allowed to live in Hamburg until then saw themselves in an increasingly enemy environment.

Nevertheless, the Jewish community managed to determine their private practice as part of a new Jewish order. This allowed the Jews to pray in a private framework and was largely promoted by the designation of the Ashkenasian Jews. These were banished from Hamburg in 1649 and searched for refuge in neighboring Altona, where they received generous privileges under the Counts of Schauenburg. With the growing number of Portuguese Jews, their influence also grew in the city, with scholars like Moses Gideon Abudiente and Benedikt de Castro.

Overall, the history of the Portuguese district reflects the complex interaction between immigration, religious intolerance and economic needs. The quarter remains a lively testimony of the cultural diversity of Hamburg and the importance of the Jewish community in city history.