Unspecified/General

Opened in 1911, the St. Pauli Elbtunnel, universally known as the Old Elbe Tunnel, was a marvel of its age and remains one of Hamburg's most atmospheric attractions, a tiled passage running 426 metres beneath the river some 24 metres down. It was built to give the tens of thousands of dock and shipyard workers a quick, all-weather route from the St. Pauli Landungsbruecken piers to the harbour and yards on the southern bank, replacing slow and crowded ferries. Construction began in 1907 under great difficulty: because the tunnel lay below the water table, the work was carried out under compressed air, a dangerous technique that gave hundreds of workers decompression sickness and cost several their lives, and the celebratory opening followed on 7 September 1911. Two parallel tubes, each about six metres across, connect shafts at either end, reached by grand domed entrance halls. Rather than ramps, the tunnel is served by enormous lifts that lower pedestrians, cyclists and even cars into the depths, the vehicle cages still operating for a small fee while pedestrians cross free. The tiled walls are decorated with charming ceramic reliefs of fish, crabs, eels and other river creatures, and the symmetrical lamps lining the arched tubes lend the whole an Art Nouveau elegance that delights photographers. Once the modern Elbe road tunnel and new bridges took over the heavy traffic in the 1970s, the old tunnel became a beloved landmark and shortcut, listed as a historic monument in 2003 and honoured for its engineering on its centenary. Both tubes have since been carefully restored. The southern exit opens onto a viewing terrace with one of the finest panoramas of the Hamburg waterfront, the cranes, the harbour and the city skyline across the water. Free to walk, open to pedestrians around the clock, and steeped in maritime history, it is an unmissable and quietly magical Hamburg experience. Opening times for pedestrians are generous, though vehicle access via the lifts runs only at restricted hours and is occasionally suspended for maintenance, so checking ahead is wise if you hope to take a car down. The grand entrance hall on the St. Pauli side and the riverside viewpoint at the southern end are both highlights in their own right.

Type: Tourist Attraction

Address: Bei den St. Pauli-Landungsbruecken, Hamburg, Germany

Opening Date: 07/09/1911