In 1911, the St. Pauli Elbtunnel (also called Alter Elbtunnel, lit. 'Old Elbe Tunnel') was built to provide a more direct route for dock workers over to the southern banks of the Elbe river聽from the Landungsbr眉cken piers in St. Pauli. A technical innovation at the time of its construction, the tunnel became a tourist attraction when the 'new' Elbtunnel and several bridges were built in the 1970s. Now聽pedestrians and bicyclists wishing to cross below the river can ride a free lift into the deep, and cars can use hydraulically driven cages for a small fee.
Explore the Southern Banks
The green dome at Landungsbr眉cken points towards the 426 metres long underpass. The tunnel is used by city-dwellers to explore the remote corners of the port area or to get to Wilhelmsburg or Altes Land. The observation platform south of the river is also held in high regard among tourists and locals alike for its magnificent panoramic views of the city.
A Historic Site
Modern tunnels can鈥檛 compare to the Old Elbe Tunnel, which has been a preserved historic site since 2003. The lamps symmetrically lining the arched tunnel walls create an otherworldly yet cosy atmosphere 24 metres below the river鈥檚 surface. The St. Pauli Elbtunnel鈥檚 Art-Deco beauty, combined with the unique reliefs lining the bricked walls, make this attraction particularly popular with photographers.
