We start at Hammaburg Square, the former Hammaburg from the 8th century, and discover what the defensive structures looked like at the time and other interesting facts. Nearby, we find both the episcopal and the count’s versions of deterrence against each other’s ‘supreme rulers’ from the 9th century in the form of the former bishop’s tower and the New Castle.

The streets Alter Wall and Neuer Wall are the epitome of Hamburg’s medieval defences – and its lines of expansion. Here we also learn what went on in these ‘border areas’. However, Hamburg made a quantum leap in terms of defence in the 17th century with the construction of large fortifications that served both as defence and deterrent. Today, they are still present in the street names: Steintorwall, Klosterwall, Glockengießerwall, Gorch-Fock-Wall and Holstenwall. Exploring these is an absolute must on this tour, even though not a single stone remains.

The route continues past memorials to the First and Second World Wars, which we incorporate into our education today as a deterrent. We end our tour at a 20th-century defence and protection facility: Europe’s largest, almost complete anti-aircraft bunker from the Second World War. It was designed to protect 18,000 people while providing air defence. A structure that stands for deterrence and defence in the Second World War like no other.