A Sunday walk

For our first Sunday in Hamburg, we decided to jump on the S-train and head over to Jenischpark and Flottbektal Nature Reserve. Our goal was to see the house in Jenischpark and just have a good walk on a crisp, spring morning.

The park was initially designed to resemble an English garden for Baron Johann Caspar Voght. It was then remodelled in 1828 after being purchased by the Hamburg Senator Martin Johann Jenisch – hence the name. The park itself is now owned by the City of Hamburg. It is Hamburg’s oldest landscaped park and a protected area of 43 ha (110 acres). After walking through an open park area, we reached the lawn with its stunning view over the water.

There were hundreds of white and purple crocus everywhere (and a few yellow ones) which sung spring and looked amazing from afar as we approached this central lawn. I am sure these gardens will be stunning in the summer.

We started off our visit at the Bargheer Museum, a space dedicated to Hamburg artist Eduard Bargheer, with exhibitions of his works and his contemporaries. When we visited, the theme of the exhibitions was views from windows. Below are two of Bargheer’s works I particularly liked. Upstairs were very detailed collage works by Rudolf Kugler which were worth examining up close.

From there we went to visit Jenisch House, built by Senator Martin Johann Jenisch in 1828 for himself and his family. It is now a museum, but as one wanders around you can appreciate the location and fantastic view of the Elbe in the distance. I found several spots where I could imagine sitting, reading, and staring out at the river and city beyond.

The house has a basement, which I imagine was where the kitchen was originally, and three floors. The top picture below was taken wandering through the ground floor living and reception areas, the one below of an amazing bath tub made especially for the wife of the owner.

On the top floor is an exhibition about the history of the house and the area, including plans in the 1930s to build an agricultural college. At the end of WW2, the British used the house as a base, the building finally being restored to its pervious glory

As we left the grounds (we came quite a different route) we spotted these workers’ cottages which also looked to be lovingly restored and cared for.

I would highly recommend this less touristy place to visit should you find yourself in Hamburg. There is a lot to see, walks to be taken, two cafes and just a glorious place to be on a Sunday afternoon.

Thistles and Kiwis is a Wellington, New Zealand based blog written by Barbara, who likes cats, summer and good food. Thistles and Kiwis can be found on Facebook and Instagram @thistlesandkiwis