Heiligengeistfeld, square in Hamburg, Germany
Heiligengeistfeld is a large open area in the St. Pauli neighborhood of Hamburg-Mitte that spans several hectares across a flat, practical layout. The space serves as the main venue for events and functions as a parking area during quieter periods, surrounded by buildings including a stadium, supermarket, and swimming complex.
The name Heiligengeistfeld derives from the Hospital zum Heiligen Geist, a monastery hospital whose grazing land this was; the earliest known mention of the name dates from 1497. The city fortifications of 1616–1625 cut off the eastern part, and the remainder served as a glacis and drill ground. From 1942 the Luftwaffe built two Flak towers here: the larger G-Turm on Feldstraße and the smaller L-Turm to its south.
The name Heiligengeistfeld comes from the Hospital zum Heiligen Geist, a monastery hospital whose grazing land this was; the name is first recorded in 1497. Since 1893 the Hamburger Dom funfair has been held here three times a year, each for four weeks, and between dates the ground serves travelling circuses or as a car park. In 1960 photographer Astrid Kirchherr took her first pictures of the Beatles here.
The area is easy to reach by public transportation, with several bus and train stops nearby and the Feldstrasse station about a 10-minute walk away. Parking can get crowded during major events like the Hamburg DOM fair, so arriving early helps you find a spot more easily.
The Flakturm IV bunker on the field's western edge was fitted with four 12.8 cm twin anti-aircraft guns, while its smaller control tower housed Würzburg-Riese radar units. After the war the gun tower was rented to civilian tenants amid Hamburg's housing shortage. Between 2019 and 2023 it gained a five-storey rooftop extension, the green bunker, where the Georg Elser Halle opened in 2024.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 92,783 contributors worldwide.