Eppendorf, first mentioned as
Eppenthorp in 1140, is Hamburg's oldest village. Its name originates either from the old Germanic
epen (on the water) or from the personal name Ebbo/Eppo. It is possible, but unlikely, that it was named after
Ebbo, the archbishop of Reims. During the restoration of the St. Johannis Church, which was first mentioned in 1267, ruins of an older stone tower were found. In the 19th century, Eppendorf gained popularity among the affluent of Hamburg. The low-lying, moist land was banked up and built on. The last area of moorland, the Eppendorfer Moor, was placed under nature protection in 1982. In 1894, Eppendorf was transferred to Hamburg. ==Geography==