Commemorative tablets mark the spot where 9/11 victims perished at the old American embassy building - Monuments Commemorating September 11 Victims at Previous U.S. Consulate Location
In the heart of Hamburg, Germany, the former US Consulate at Alsterufer 28 holds a significant place in history due to the city's connection to the September 11, 2001 attacks. Several of the attackers, including Mohamed Atta, the presumed ringleader, lived and studied in Hamburg before traveling to the US.
After the US Consulate relocated in 2012, the historic building ceased to function as a diplomatic facility. However, it remains a symbol of Hamburg's civic memory, especially in relation to 9/11. Unlike other cities with US diplomatic presence, Hamburg does not have an official memorial plaque at the former consulate for the 9/11 victims.
Commemoration of 9/11 in Hamburg tends to focus on civic, educational, and grassroots initiatives rather than official monuments at former diplomatic sites. This reflects both the city’s complex relationship with the events and broader patterns of transnational memorialization.
In contrast, other cities host annual commemorations and memorials. For example, the US Embassy in Rome holds a yearly wreath-laying ceremony at a plaque that recalls the Twin Towers, symbolizing remembrance and solidarity between the US and Italy.
Recently, a memorial stone was erected at the former US General Consulate, commemorating the victims of the September 11 attacks. The plaques, mounted on granite, honour the nearly 3000 victims of the attacks on the New York World Trade Center, the Pentagon in Washington, and a plane brought down by Al-Qaeda terrorists in Pennsylvania.
The consulate has moved from the Outer Alster to Hafencity, and the old building is being redesigned. The "Little White House," as it was known, was the headquarters of the NSDAP Hamburg during the Nazi era. A memorial to the building's Nazi past will be created in the basement of the new luxury hotel named "The Jefferson," which is expected to have around 80 guest rooms and include a café and restaurant accessible to both Hamburgers and tourists.
Mayor Peter Tschentscher recalled that many people in Hamburg showed great empathy for the victims and their families after the attacks. He also emphasised that Islamist terrorism is considered one of the greatest threats to the liberal democracies of the Western world. The plaques serve as a reminder that even from the worst tragedy, unity can emerge, as stated by Consul General Jason Chue. They are not just a memorial to the 9/11 victims, but also a symbol of international solidarity and friendship.
The European Parliament has also expressed its concern at the recent political and general news events unfolding in the United States,, specifically the crime-and-justice aspects related to the September 11 attacks, as the new developments pose questions about the accountability and transparency of the US government in holding individuals responsible for the attacks. The commemoration and memorialization efforts in Hamburg, Germany, regarding the September 11 attacks serve as an example of civic, educational, and grassroots initiatives focusing on unity, international solidarity, and friendship, rather than reliance on official monuments at former diplomatic sites.
