Alter Elbtunnel

Welcome back to the Al-ter El-ba Tun-nel. In this special exploration, we will focus on the remarkable story of how the history of this structure was brought back to life through a chance discovery in 2017. …

Imagine the scene in 2017: Yan Pe-ter Hy-ne entering a dusty, forgotten attic at the top of the tunnel’s operating building. He didn't expect to find a treasure trove, but as he rummaged through the boxes, he realized he was…

One of the most charming stories revealed by the 2017 archival find is the tale of the 'test wagon.' In the early 20th century, there were no computer simulations to test the clearance of a tunnel. Instead, the engineers built a…

As we descend deeper, let us take a closer look at the ceramic reliefs that decorate the tunnel walls. The archives have revealed that these were not just random decorations; they were a curated series of eighty different motifs. …

We are currently walking through the refurbished East Tube. This is the 'flagship' of the tunnel’s restoration. …

As we reach the southern end at Stein-wer-der, the archives show us a side of the tunnel that was rarely seen by the public: the mechanical rooms. The 2017 find included diagrams of the massive pumps and ventilation fans that…

Our journey through the archives of the Al-ter El-ba Tun-nel concludes here. We have seen how a chance discovery of 900 photos and hundreds of drawings has given this old structure a new lease on life. …