Image by Ute Kreitz

Let’s descend to the bottom of the Elbe river! The old Elbe tunnel, opened in 1911, is one of the oldest still operating tunnels in Europe. Open to traffic and pedestrians, it connects the inner city of Hamburg at Landungsbrücken (north entrance) with the shipyards at Steinwerder (south entrance). The south side of the Elbe river offers a spectacular view of Hamburg’s cityscape that is most impressive when it’s lit at night.

If you feel daring, walk down the staircase, which takes you 24 m below the surface. If you’d rather save your energy, hop onto one of the elevators instead. The best time to explore during the week is after 20:00, or on weekends when the tunnel is closed to traffic. Take in the full scope of the decorative elements, and admire the glazed ceramic reliefs depicting maritime motifs on the walls of the 426 m long tiled tubes.

Recently, this historic landmark has inspired various annual projects: For the past 8 years, 100 Marathon Club Deutschland e.V. has been organizing the Elbtunnel marathon every last Sunday in January. Since 2007, ElbArt has been inviting local artists to exhibit their work in the tunnel in the summertime.

Currently, the tunnel is under construction (until 2012) with only one accessible tube. You’ll find the entrance of the tunnel (with elevators and stairs) to the right of the Landungsbrücken gates. When you get to the south side, turn right (make a u-turn) and walk around the back of the building to the Elbe platform.

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The old Elbe tunnel | Art & culture, Music, Relaxing, Festivals & events | Free
Landungsbrücken 7 | Sankt Pauli | +4940428474742
24 hours daily for pedestrians & cyclists

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Hamburg

Image by Fabrik

Whether you want to attend a special rock-, jazz- classic-, theatre production, a reading or a political event, you will find yourself in a unique atmosphere in the FABRIK in Ottensen.

Here you can combine cultural events with a look into the industrial history of Ottensen that was once big in producing machine parts for the ship industry. The famous alternative and multicultural “communication center” was founded in 1971 in a building of a former machine factory that is around 150 years old.

Unique surroundings, unique program: In the FABRIK you won’t find mainstream events, it’s more for the particular taste or even more particular taste. So check out the website, if there is anything that makes you curious. And maybe you are a fan anyway of the “sounds of the Mongolian grasslands” or the “festival of the monsters of ska-punk” and don’t understand at all why I stress this point so much!

The famous Fabrik indoor flea market is my favourite in the cold season, when the hall and the gallery are packed with the Ottensen folk that emptied their attics. There is always a treasure to find here and for sure also one or two German scurrilities. Good luck with your own hunt!

In the cold season the flea market is once a month on a Saturday from 09:00 to 15:00.

Check out the website for more information. Entry is free.

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The FABRIK | Art & culture, Music, Shopping, Festivals & events | Tickets from € 8.00
Barnerstr. 36 | Altona & Ottensen | +4940391070
Presales Mon – Fri 13:00 – 17:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Hamburg