St. Pauli
In 1620, a hill rose above the Elbe river to serve as a defensive position for artillery. Settlement was forbidden there initially because city gates blocked entry. Businesses that smelled bad or made too much noise found no home inside Hamburg or Altona. Rope makers moved their workshops to this new area called Hamburger Berg. The name Reeperbahn later emerged from these rope-making activities. People could not officially live in St. Pauli until the end of the 17th century. City authorities relocated workhouses and pestilence hospitals to this location. A church named after Saint Paul eventually gave the district its current identity.
Sailors spent their spare time on the Reeperbahn while ships loaded and unloaded cargo. This stretch became known as the sinful mile by combining entertainment standards. Bars, clubs, theaters, and musicals operate alongside prostitution services today. The red-light district occupies just a few streets around the main thoroughfare. Locals refer to this zone simply as the Kiez. The annual fair Hamburger Dom draws crowds every year at night. Hans Albers provided an unofficial anthem with his song Auf der Reeperbahn Nachts um Halb Eins. The Beatles played at the Star-Club before achieving global fame. Square names like Beatles-Platz honor their connection to the neighborhood.
Around 1890, a Chinatown area developed near Schmuckstrasse within St. Pauli boundaries. Nazi authorities shut down this community during the 1930s. The Chinese quarter has been reestablishing itself since the 2010s. Hamburg hosts a major Chinese consulate at Elbchaussee 268 in Othmarschen since 1921. Shanghai serves as a sister city for the port metropolis. Large groups of Chinese and other Asian immigrants continue living in both St. Pauli and Altona districts. New arrivals gravitate toward this part of the city. The biennial high-level conference Hamburg Summit brings China meets Europe together regularly.
The Social Democratic Party won 45.1 percent of votes in December 1987 elections. By June 1982, that figure stood at 48.7 percent. In 1974, the SPD secured 57.4 percent of the total vote cast. Conservative parties dominated earlier decades before shifting leftward over time. The Greens gained 35.3 percent support in 2020 state elections. Left-wing coalitions now hold clear majorities compared to past conservative dominance. The AfD received 5.2 percent in 2025 results while others captured 8.1 percent. These numbers reflect a dramatic transformation from right-leaning history to progressive politics.
FC St. Pauli celebrates its centenary year during 2010 with fan club songs. One Hundred Beers was recorded by the group 18auf12 for the jubilee celebration. Punk rock bands like Art Brut reference the district in their lyrics. Sällskapet's song Nordlicht describes a specific pub location within the area. The Guardian named St. Pauli one of five best places to live globally in 2012. Voluntary organizations such as Viva con Agua campaign for clean drinking water worldwide. Buddhistisches Zentrum Hamburg serves spiritual needs alongside cultural associations. Parkhaus e.V. operates as an integrative living project for residents.
The Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency occupies Bernhard Nocht Straße 78. This authority provides information on maritime shipping laws and coastal waters. The head office of the Federal Bureau for Maritime Casualty Investigation sits inside this facility. Central court buildings including the Hanseatic Higher Regional Court stand at Sievekingplatz square. Landungsbrücken station connects passengers via Hamburg S-Bahn commuter trains. U-Bahn underground stations serve Landungsbrücken, St. Pauli, and Feldstraße locations. Public transport includes buses and ferries crossing the Elbe river. As of 2006, 5487 private cars were registered within the quarter boundaries.
Continue Browsing
Common questions
When did people officially start living in St. Pauli?
People could not officially live in St. Pauli until the end of the 17th century. Settlement was initially forbidden because city gates blocked entry to the area.
How did the name Reeperbahn originate in St. Pauli?
The name Reeperbahn emerged from rope-making activities that took place on Hamburger Berg. Rope makers moved their workshops to this new area where businesses with bad smells or noise found no home inside Hamburg or Altona.
What happened to the Chinatown area near Schmuckstrasse in St. Pauli?
Nazi authorities shut down the Chinatown area that developed around 1890 during the 1930s. The Chinese quarter has been reestablishing itself since the 2010s while large groups of Chinese and other Asian immigrants continue living in both St. Pauli and Altona districts.
Which political party won the most votes in St. Pauli during December 1987 elections?
The Social Democratic Party won 45.1 percent of votes in December 1987 elections. By June 1982, that figure stood at 48.7 percent and in 1974, the SPD secured 57.4 percent of the total vote cast.
Where can visitors find information about maritime shipping laws in St. Pauli?
The Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency occupies Bernhard Nocht Straße 78 and provides information on maritime shipping laws and coastal waters. This facility also houses the head office of the Federal Bureau for Maritime Casualty Investigation.