FISCHMARKT (FISH MARKET)

Every Sunday morning, the Elbe quays in Sankt-Pauli and Altona were transformed into a gigantic fish market (in fact, it was a multi-purpose market, with all the stalls of the classic markets). As fish is a perishable commodity, the merchants were granted exceptional permission to work on Sundays until 10 am in order to attend mass. This is the busiest place in the city at this time. It is an authentic, picturesque sight, which synthesizes the spirit of Hamburg: hawkers shouting their daily offers, fresh fish just caught in the North Sea, live music and breakfast coming out of the nightclubs of St. Pauli... On the Fischmarkt (technically in Altona, but adjoining Sankt-Pauli) is the beautiful Fischauktionshalle, the fish auction hall, a nice monument dating from 1896. Inaugurated by Kaiser Wilhelm II, it was destroyed by Allied bombing in July 1943 and rebuilt after the war. Today, the 100-meter long market is no longer located on the Sankt-Pauli Fischmarkt. But it does house the party that goes with it! From 4:30 in the morning in summer (6:00 in winter), rock bands play, beer flows freely, and you can enjoy the incredible party on the indoor terraces, while outside the crowd gathers to buy the fish.