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Hamburg

Concrete & Cleats: The Radical Heart of St. Pauli

4.6 km132 min7 stops

What awaits you on this Red Thread tour

Forget the glossy tourist brochures and the sanitized harbor cruises. This is the real Hamburg. Dive into the gritty, unapologetic streets of St. Pauli and the Schanzenviertel, where football is a religion, skateboarding is a political statement, and the neighborhood pubs are command centers for global resistance. Discover how 1980s squatters transformed a struggling football club into a worldwide anti-fascist icon, and learn why the fight for the 'Right to the City' is still raging today. This isn't just a sports tour; it's a masterclass in urban survival and DIY culture.

Itinerary

1

TOUR START

Flora Bowl

A DIY skatepark built by the community directly behind the squatted Rote Flora cultural center, representing grassroots sports and anti-gentrification.

1.38 km • 21 min
2

STOP 2

Fanräume e.V. at Millerntor-Stadion

A self-managed space for fans within the stadium's famous Gegengerade, hosting political lectures and community events.

0.59 km • 9 min
3

STOP 3

Jolly Roger

The quintessential FC St. Pauli fan pub, run collectively by fans, serving as a hub for anti-fascist organizing.

0.95 km • 15 min
4

STOP 4

Fanladen St. Pauli

An independent fan project doing crucial social work, organizing away trips, and advocating for marginalized groups.

1.07 km • 16 min
5

STOP 5

Zur Ritze

A legendary Reeperbahn pub with a historic boxing gym in its basement, representing the gritty, working-class roots of Kiez sports culture.

0.57 km • 9 min
6

STOP 6

Hafenstraße Squats

The epicenter of Hamburg's 1980s squatter movement, which injected radical left-wing politics into FC St. Pauli.

Hafenstraße Squats

Pic by Michael aus Halle on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

0.04 km • 1 min
7

END

Park Fiction

A community-designed park born out of protests against luxury development, featuring a vital public basketball court.

Park Fiction

Pic by Fred Romero on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)

Where the tour takes place

Starting point and rough tour area – the exact route unfolds in the app.

Good to know

  • Ideal for Urban explorers, football romantics, political activists, and anyone fascinated by subcultures, DIY ethos, and the raw, unpolished side of city life.
  • Best time Late afternoons to early evenings, especially on a Friday or Saturday, when the neighborhood wakes up and the pubs start buzzing with pre-match energy.
  • Dress Code Wear comfortable, scuff-proof shoes. You'll be walking through skateparks, standing terraces, and sticky-floored pubs.
  • Match Days If FC St. Pauli is playing at home, expect massive crowds, intense energy, and some locations to be packed to the rafters.
  • Photography Be respectful. Many spaces are highly political, and locals may not appreciate being treated as tourist attractions. Ask before snapping portraits.
  • Cash is King Bring euros in cash. Many of the independent pubs and fan spaces do not accept credit cards.
  • Open Mind You will encounter radical political messaging. Come ready to listen, observe, and challenge your preconceptions about sports and society.
  • Your voucher You can redeem your voucher for two years from purchase. Once redeemed, you have 14 days of access and can enjoy the tour as often as you like during that time.

Your guide

Ian MacLeod
Audio sample
0:000:00

Ian MacLeod

  • Power, Protest & Civic Spaces
  • Scotland

Connoisseur of political movements. Traces the routes of protests and explains the power of public spaces.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get to the tour after buying?

You see your voucher code right after payment – and you also receive it at the email address you entered at checkout. Redeem that code in the Red Thread app; that's where the tour starts.

When does my access start?

Only when you redeem the code in the app, not at purchase. From redemption you have 14 days of access to the tour.

Do I need the Red Thread app?

Yes. The free Red Thread app turns your tour into a vivid experience: with audio, a map, and thoughtful prompts, it guides you from place to place in an engaging and entertaining way. It's available free for iOS and Android.

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