Viewpoint: Am Schlosswall / Margarethenstrasse

1.5 million litres of drinking water are stored in the "flower vase" that rises turquoise-green from the Volkspark (peoples' park). Because of its unusual shape, Flensburg's water tower is also a landmark of the city. It was put into operation in 1961 - as an addition to the old water tower on the other side of the fjord. Together, they ensure that the water pressure in the pipeline network remains constant. In addition, the water tower at Volkspark is one of the best lookouts in the city. From its publicly accessible platform at a height of around 26 metres, the view stretches far over the Danish coast and the hilly landscape of Angeln. A miniature version of the green giant decorates the watercourse of the neighbouring "Living at the Water Tower" housing estate.

Sometimes a raging little river, sometimes a trickle: the Lautrupsbach changes depending on the weather. The watercourse was named in 1898 after Christan Lautrup, operator of a water mill in the St. Jürgen district. "His" stream meanders from the district Tarup to the Flensburg Fjord. An accompanying cycle and hiking path leads through wooded areas and open green spaces. In spring, wild garlic gatherers meet on the slopes of the valley. There is even a small beach that encourages splashing around in summer. However, the valley only became a local recreation area after its renaturation in the 1990s. Before that, it was part of the route of the Flensburg District Railway and the Kiel Railway until 1953.

The tower of St. Jürgen's Church dominates the skyline of the east bank. The church, built in 1904-1907, was named after the St. Jürgen Hospital, a hospital for lepers and plague sufferers that had stood on the same site since the Middle Ages. The brick church is one of the city's cultural monuments. As in many churches on the coast, two ship models hang from the ceiling. Actually, besides that, the late Gothic vaulted ceiling is particularly eye-catching. However, all of this was in danger when the church had to close in 2012: sponge in the walls and a dilapidated statics. Only after three years and thanks to committed donors could the congregation celebrate the reopening of their church in 2015. The vault was also extensively renovated.

The heyday of fishing boats and fishermen in Flensburg are over. But some boats do continue to go out. Their home is the small fishing harbour on the eastern shore of the fjord - including a mini-beach, mini-museum and public toilets. The latter are a popular photo motif because of their tongue-in-cheek maritime painting. Today, only two jetties remain of the once large boat facility. That suffices for the remaining cutters with the protruding typical red marker flags. At weekends, the fishermen inform visitors on handwritten boards about the fresh catch of the day, which they sell directly at the fishing harbour. Once a year, the Flensburg Fishing Association of 1872 invites you to the smallest harbour festival in the city - and serving fish, what else..

The Flatzbygang was named after a shipbuilder's family, the Ravnsgang presumably after a fish smoker's family, and the Seemannsgang (Seamen's Alley) goes without saying. All lead down to the fjord. In short, this was the seafarers' quarters. The area around the lower St. Jürgen-Straße is today also known as the Gänge- or Kapitänsviertel. The low houses along the cobblestone street were first inhabited by fishermen, then richer sailors, and finally captains. The quarter is particularly worth seeing in summer when the hollyhocks are in bloom and adorn almost every house wall here. If you look closely, you will also discover a hamster on one of the walls - a part of affectionate street art by an anonymous Flensburg artist. 

Guided tour through the captains quarter

Contrary to the assumption that North Germany is strictly flat, visitors will find that the ice age in Flensburg has shaped quite a lot of hills, especially the slopes on both sides of the fjord. A climb up the 145 steps of the Big St. Jürgen Stairs is particularly beautiful. It was first mentioned as a stairway in 1897. In the 1970s, a major reconstruction was due: The district heating pipes found space under the steps of the then rather unadorned staircase. Today, the small mountain tour leads past once overgrown hillside gardens, that were transformed into a green oasis in the 1990s. Once the 60 metres have been climbed, the sporting effort is crowned with a view over the city.

"Always on top of things" is the motto of the Goethe School. Whatever happens, due to its exposed location on the eastern slope of the fjord, this statement is always true. "The Goethe", as the grammar school is also called, was founded in 1875 as a municipal agricultural school. Only after attending seven other school buildings did students and staff finally move into the building in Bismarckstraße, which was constructed in 1914/15. The school was named after the celebrations for the 200th birthday of its namesake Wolfgang von Goethe. In 2010 it became a centre of excellence for the promotion of the gifted and in 2011 a "European School". Around 600 students attend "the Goethe", which, in addition to the brick building with the dome, now also includes the former neighbouring Willy Weber School and two gymnasiums.

Actually, it's just a sandy spot, and a rather dusty one, especially when it's dry and windy. Nevertheless, the harbour tip is a popular meeting place. It offers space for games, concerts, small markets, even an ice rink. Anglers stand patiently on the shore, and in summer, many people sit on the steps leading to the water, watch the ducks sunbathing and enjoy the view of the harbour and the fjord. The little ones let off steam in the neighbouring playground. With so much maritime surrounding, a fish sandwich is a must. This and more is available from the restaurants that have settled around the Fördespitze and, by the way, offer a sea view.