Antique map - Hamburg 1917

Pharus-Plan of Hamburg (Hamburg) in 1917 : discover its port on the Elbe, its railways, its historic neighborhoods and its infrastructure at the heart of Imperial Germany.

This plan of Hamburg, Hamburg in German, shows the city in 1917. Located in northern Germany, on the banks of the Elbe, Hamburg was then a major port and commercial city of the German Empire. Its port played a major role in European maritime trade, while its transport network supported the city's development.

Hamburg's history is closely linked to its maritime activity. A merchant city since the Middle Ages, it became a free city within the Holy Roman Empire in 1189, according to local historical tradition. In the 19th century, industrialization and the expansion of the port profoundly transformed its urban landscape. In 1917, the plan bears witness to this evolution: it allows us to observe the organization of the city, its thoroughfares, and the infrastructure connecting its various neighborhoods.

Places and neighborhoods shown:

• The port and the Elbe – the river and the port facilities illustrate the central role of maritime trade in the history of Hamburg.

• The historic city center – the urban heart brings together the shopping streets, the squares and the main public buildings.

• The old town (Altstadt) – this historic area bears witness to Hamburg's mercantile past and its development throughout the centuries.

• The urban neighborhoods – the plan allows us to trace the organization of the streets, residential blocks and expanding areas.

• The train stations and railways – the railway network highlights the connections between Hamburg, its port and other German cities.

• The canals and waterways – they remind us of the importance of river geography in the organization of the city.

• The green spaces – the gardens and parks provide a contrast to the densely built-up areas and industrial zones.

Cartographic reference:

This plan of Hamburg is part of the cartographic production of Pharus-Verlag. An edition from 1917 is listed in the Pharus-Atlas Deutscher Städte, an atlas dedicated to the major German cities. The map documented by the David Rumsey collection notably features a network of trams in red, railways in black and major roadways in yellow. These conventions make it possible to understand the organization of urban transport at the beginning of the 20th century. 

In short:

For history, geography and urban architecture enthusiasts, this map of Hamburg in 1917 offers a fascinating glimpse of a major German port metropolis. With its river, port, railways and historic neighborhoods, it tells the story of the development of a city focused on trade and industry. Its vintage aesthetic also makes it an original decorative piece for an office, library or an interior inspired by European history.

What area does this map cover?

It shows Hamburg and its urban organization, with its neighborhoods, thoroughfares, railway infrastructure and port environment. The exact extent depends on the edition of the plan.

In what year was this map published?

This map dates from 1917. An edition of Hamburg published by Pharus-Verlag that year is listed in the David Rumsey collection.

Reproduction of « Pharus-Plan Hamburg », published in 1917 by Pharus-Verlag.

Printed on textured art paper at 200 g/m². Portrait or landscape orientation depending on the original image, standard sizes 50x70 and 70x100 : easy to frame.