Opened in 1879, Justizvollzugsanstalt Fuhlsbüttel initially held 800 prisoners. The imposing structure before us, now known colloquially as “Santa Fu,” has a long and complex history. Justizvollzugsanstalt Fuhlsbüttel wasn’t always a single entity. Originally, it consisted of separate facilities. The women’s prison, with a capacity of 350, opened in 1891. A youth prison, holding 115, followed in 1892. And in 1906, another men’s prison, designed for 726 inmates, was added to the complex. Justizvollzugsanstalt Fuhlsbüttel’s role took a dark turn during the Nazi era. In 1933, a section of the prison became the Fuhlsbüttel concentration camp, or “KolaFu.” Initially under SA control, it later fell under the Gestapo’s authority. Political opponents, Jews, and other groups deemed undesirable by the regime were imprisoned here. Many suffered brutal treatment, torture, and even death within these walls. After World War II, Justizvollzugsanstalt Fuhlsbüttel resumed its function as a prison. It housed different types of offenders, including those in protective custody. Over time, various renovations and reorganizations took place. The youth prison closed in 1979. A workshop was added in 1983. In 2003, separate facilities in the area were consolidated under the Justizvollzugsanstalt Fuhlsbüttel name. A decade later, in 2010, some sections were again separated into independent institutions. The nickname “Santa Fu” gained traction in the 1970s, following a series of escapes that made headlines. But its roots lie in the older abbreviation “St. Fu” for “Strafanstalt Fuhlsbüttel.” Today, Justizvollzugsanstalt Fuhlsbüttel remains a significant institution in Hamburg’s correctional system, its history etched into the very stones of its walls.
Allerheiligen Kirche
Hidden within Hamburg’s Neugraben-Fischbek district lies the Allerheiligen Kirche. It serves as a spiritual home for Ukrainian immigrants. The Allerheiligen