On the Banks of the Elbe, in a Quiet Corner of Blankenese…
… Lie two sunken vessels, one close to the other
If one aspect characterizes the Elbe, it is a river prone to frequent fluctuations in water level. Considering its proximity to the Baltic and North Sea, a regular interplay between wind waves and currents makes this water body boisterous, and the levels keep changing. The swollen waters of the River Elbe breach the banks and flood the surrounding areas regularly, making the headlines.
However, on that Sunday, things were different. It was a bright, sunny day. The Elbe was uncharacteristically calm, and the tide had receded. My partner and I decided to head to one of our favorite getaways. A former fishing village, Blankenese is now an affluent quarter of Hamburg with a long beach, complete with a picture-perfect lighthouse and many bars and restaurants. It is an excellent place to spend the weekend, away from the crowds.
Besides, once you get down to the foot of Treppenviertel, or the historic stairs quarter — where most of the houses can only be accessed on foot using steps- there is also the site that houses a piece of history. There are two of them. When the tide recedes, visitors get to explore them in all their glory. However, more often than not, only parts of it are visible. On my previous visits to…
