This is a small gem amongst the never-ending shopping malls in the city center of Hamburg. Between the Alsterarkaden, a famous white covered footway bordering the Rathaus and Alsterfleet, and Neuer Wall, a quite expensive shopping street lies the oldest passage of Hamburg.
When I’m outside Hamburg I often hear: “Oh! You are from Hamburg! Where it always rains!” – which is obviously not true. But if it does rain, we go shopping in passages, which are well covered from the rain. Originally from 1864, you can still find shops here with a lot history: Felix Jud bookshop is one of them, with a history of over 90 years. I am in awe of this shop. And not just because of the books, but because of its history during World War 2, when Felix Jud himself did many things in opposition to the regime, including selling forbidden books or holding space for Hamburg’s members of the White Rose.
When I am not looking at the showcase of this bookshop, my eyes wander at the ceiling with the original art nouveau advertisement of the eponymous Mr. Mellin who used to sell his biscuits here. So watch out for all the beautiful sights in this small passage. There is lots to discover.
