Hammonia is the Latin name for Hamburg, and for Hamburg's patron goddess.

Patron goddess of Hamburg

Mosaic of Hammonia over the Hamburg Rathaus entrance

Hammonia is a tall and beautiful goddess who watches over Hamburg. She is usually shown wearing a crown in the form of a city wall surmounted by towers; she may also hold the city's coat of arms, a ship's anchor, etc. She is said to represent the values of Hamburg: freedom, peace, tolerance, prosperity, harmony, welfare and free trade.

Hammonia in literature and music

Hamburg?s Anthem, the Hamburg-Lied or Hamburg-Hymne was written in 1828 by Georg Nikolaus Bärmann. Deutschland: Ein Wintermärchen http://www.pos1.info/8/8wint.htm#1_0_3 (Germany: A Winter?s Tale) by Heinrich Heine includes her.

Hammonia statue

Hammonia Statue on the Brooksbrücke

Ships named Hammonia

Hammonia was also the name of a series of 5 ocean-going vessels owned by the Hamburg-American Line, a predecessor of the modern Hapag-Lloyd. The ships were built in 1854, 1867, 1881, 1909, and 1965. The fifth ship, a freighter, is still in service. Several of the earlier ships carried trans-atlantic passengers and played a role in German immigration to the United States.

External links

• The Statue of Hammonia
• Heinrich Heine: Deutschland. Ein Wintermärchen
• Photo of the second Hammonia vessel
• History of the Hamburg-America Line including the 5 Hammonia vessels

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