The Old Elbtunnel, also known as the St. Pauli Elbtunnel, is a true piece of Hamburg history. Back in the day, it was ahead of its time by connecting the Landungsbrücken in St. Pauli with the opposite bank of the Elbe in Steinwerder, which it continues to do today.

What makes the Old Elbtunnel special?

The tunnel runs at a depth of 24 meters under the Elbe and is over 426.5 meters long. It consists of two tubes with a diameter of six meters each, originally intended for both pedestrians and vehicles. The entrances and exits of the tunnel are identifiable by dome-shaped buildings, each housing four large elevator cabins.

Initially, the tunnel was built to provide workers in the port and shipyards with a quicker route to their workplaces on the southern Elbe side. Before the tunnel was built, ferries were often overloaded, especially during shift changes, and the detour over the Elbe bridges was time-consuming. The tunnel significantly reduced commuting times and contributed to the efficiency of the Hamburg port.

If you find yourself there, you should definitely take a closer look at the ceramic tiles on the walls of the tubes. At regular intervals, you can find reliefs of animals that were indigenous to the Elbe during the construction period of the tunnel. These artistic decorations give the tunnel a unique charm and are, of course, also reflective of Hamburg's maritime history.

Today, the Old Elbtunnel is not only a functional traffic route but also a popular tourist attraction. A walk through the tunnel offers a fascinating insight into this remarkable engineering achievement from the early 20th century and allows you to pass under the Elbe in a unique way. At the southern end of the tunnel in Steinwerder, you can also expect a fantastic view of the Hamburg skyline, especially at sunset.
 

1. During the construction of the tunnel, over 600 workers fell ill with decompression sickness because they worked under overpressure conditions, leading to dangerous nitrogen bubbles in the blood.
2. The tunnel was opened in 1911 as the first underwater tunnel in Europe, making it a true milestone in engineering history.
3. During the tunnel construction period from 1907 to 1911, three workers lost their lives, which was unfortunately not uncommon for large projects of that time.
4. The wall reliefs in the tunnel not only depict Elbe animals but also unusual motifs like rats and discarded shoes, which were meant to symbolize everyday life by the river.
5. Between 2000 and 2009, a marathon was held in the Old Elbtunnel, where runners completed 48 tunnel crossings in one go – exactly 42.195 kilometers.
6. The cargo lifts of the tunnel were originally designed for horse-drawn carriages, showing how old the initial traffic planning actually is.
7. During filming, the tunnel has served multiple times as a movie set, including in the cult film "Absolute Giganten" from 1999.
8. The Elbtunnel was originally intended to have only one tube, but during the planning phase, it was decided to construct two parallel tunnel tubes.
9. The construction method employed a then-innovative shield tunneling technique, where the earth was displaced under pressure while being supported – a method that was later adopted worldwide.
10. The tunnel served as a shelter during World War II, and temporary accommodations were set up in the shafts.

The Old Elbtunnel is open to pedestrians and cyclists around the clock, and usage is free of charge. The tunnel is currently closed to motor vehicles due to renovation work.
 

The Old Elbtunnel is an impressive testament to Hamburg engineering excellence and city history. A visit is worthwhile not only for those interested in technology and history but for anyone who wants to experience Hamburg from a different perspective.

The combination of historical significance, architectural uniqueness, and the opportunity to traverse the Elbe in an unusual way makes the charm of the tunnel.