Old Elbe Tunnel (Alter Elbtunnel)

Tunnel in Hamburg

CC BY-SA 4.0 / NielsFahrenkrog

The Alter Elbtunnel opened on September 7, 1911, after four years of ingenious engineering designed to connect the bustling Landungsbrücken piers with the shipyards and docks at Steinwerder—24 meters below the Elbe. Built in two 6‑meter‑wide tunnels stretching over 426 m, it was the first subaqueous river tunnel on the European continent. The cut-and-cover construction used compressed-air caissons—and while innovative, it sadly resulted in decompression sickness that affected hundreds of the 4,400 workers involved.

What sets the tunnel apart isn’t just its function, but its artistic Art Nouveau design. The two parallel tubes are lined with elegant white and green tiles, terrazzo floors, and ceramic reliefs depicting aquatic life—like fish, mussels, and crabs—interspersed between period light fixtures and wooden benches. Historic hydraulic lifts still transport pedestrians (and formerly cars and bicycles) between the surface and the under‑Elbe passage, offering a tangible connection to early 20th‑century industrial charm.

After World War II bombing damage, and the construction of newer crossings in the 1970s, the Old Elbe Tunnel gradually transitioned from essential infrastructure into a beloved tourist attraction and heritage site. Designated as a protected historical monument in 2003 and honored in 2011 as a technical landmark of German engineering, it today welcomes pedestrians and cyclists around the clock and free of charge—though vehicle access is currently limited during restoration.

Walking through the tunnel is a sensory delight: the mellow lighting, cool air, and gentle echoes of footsteps create a surreal yet intimate atmosphere. At the south exit, you emerge on Steinwerder with expansive views of the Hamburg skyline and harbor—making the Elbtunnel not just a passage, but a journey through Hamburg’s industrial past and maritime soul.

The Old Elbe Tunnel (Alter Elbtunnel) appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Hamburg!

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