Baltimore, Maryland
According to timedictionary, Baltimore is a city in the United States. The fact that one of the most important episodes in American history took place in Baltimore did not prevent tourism from being snowed under by neighbors Washington DC and Philadelphia for years. Baltimore was founded in 1729 by George Kalvert (Lord Baltimore) as part of the original English colony of Maryland. Baltimore is not the capital of Maryland (that is Annapolis) but it has had a lot of influence on the course of the American Revolutionary War. For example, residents of Baltimore refused to pay taxes to and trade with the British. Text & photography Harald Kolkman
Highlights of Baltimore
There is much to do and experience in Baltimore. It is a city with great history. The American national anthem was written there and Abraham Lincoln was murdered there. Take a stroll through the European-inspired neighborhood of Fells Point or visit the American Visionary Art Museum.
American Visionary Art Museum
The collection of the American Visionary Art Museum contains work by so-called self-taught artists. Not only the collection is worthwhile, the design of the building itself has also won several international awards.
Address: 800 Key Highway, Baltimore, Tel: +1 410 244 19 00, www.avam.org . Entrance $14,-
Emerson Bromo Seltzer Tower
Downtown Baltimore is easy to explore on foot. The cityscape is dominated by Emerson Bromo Seltzer’s tower. The Emerson Bromo-Seltzer Tower was erected in 1911 at the corner of Eutaw and Lombard Streets. Until 1923 it was the tallest building in the city. The design of the tower as well as the factory next to it was inspired by the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, which Emerson visited during a trip through Europe.
Bromo Seltzer owned the famous Bromo Selzer and after a visit to London was so impressed by Big Ben that he also wanted a clock like this in his city. At the time, a gigantic bottle of Bromo Selzer adorned the top of the tower. It was removed in 1936 because the city council considered it too dangerous in strong winds. There are now calls to restore the tower to its former glory and to replace a large bottle. A good example of how advertising has become culture. There are no numbers on the clock, but the twelve letters bromo seltzer.
Federal Hill
Via The harbor it is a short walk to Federal Hill, where the star spangled banner proudly flies. For Eric Lockoear (25) the most beautiful place in town. Jizzy (12) and Jay (20) also like to come here. They tear up the steps of Federal Hill on their mountain bikes. We’re just hangin’ out. There is always something to do on the Hill.
Federal Hill was ‘discovered’ in 1608 by Captain John Smith during his first trips through Chesapeake Bay. It got its name in 1788, when thousands of Baltimoreans marched from Fells Point to ‘the hill’ to celebrate the Maryland General Assembly’s ratification of the Constitution. It has been a public park since 1875.
Fell’s Point
Cobblestones, tram rails, old facades and the waterfront location give Fells Point a European feel. In 1726 Quaker William Fell bought it and renamed it Fells Prospect. Fifty years later it was swallowed up by Baltimore. It breathes the atmosphere of a bygone era. The harbor building served as the backdrop for the Homecide series. The letters Baltimore Police are still not removed from the windows and the story goes that tourists are still asking local bars if the police station is closed. The most popular pub is The Cat’s Eye.
Fort McHenry
Fort McHenry is a fort in Baltimore Harbor. During the War of 1812, the fort was shelled by the English from the Chesapeake Bay. On September 13, 1814, the fort came under British fire. For twenty-five hours the fortress was bombarded in an attempt to take Baltimore.
The relief was therefore great when the Americans raised their flag after all. It inspired poet Francis Scott Key – who witnessed the bombing – to write a poem that later served as the basis for The Star Spangled Banner. Take a look at the first stanza:
Oh, say can you see by the dawn’s early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Cool proof through the night that our flag was still there.
