- Old ship lift celebrates 90 years of operation
The old ship lift in Niederfinow takes center stage this coming weekend - celebrating its 90th anniversary in operation. The facility in the Barnim district is the world's oldest operational ship lift, according to the Waterways and Shipping Authority Oder-Havel. On August 10th, there will be a celebratory event featuring historic boats, icebreaker rides, demonstrations of high-angle rescue, and guided tours. In the evening, the 1934-inaugurated ship lift will be festively illuminated. It is considered a testament to historical engineering art.
However, the ship lift has been somewhat overshadowed in recent times by the new and larger facility next door. In October 2022, a new ship lift was put into operation after a long construction period. With this facility, ships on the Oder-Havel waterway can overcome a height difference of 36 meters.
Visitors can experience the new ship lift on August 10th during evening tours until 10:00 PM. Additionally, on Saturday, the Day of Industrial Culture in Brandenburg will take place, with many museums and monuments participating.
The ship lifts are a major tourist attraction, drawing several hundred thousand visitors annually, according to the Niederfinow Tourism Society.
This weekend, many visitors are expected to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the old ship lift's operation. Despite the new facility next door, the old ship lift still attracts several hundred thousand visitors each year.
