Schwebefähre Oste
The Schwebefähre Oste is a cable ferry connecting Osten and Hemmoor that has hung above the river on steel cables since 1909. A mechanical system of cables and pulleys gently moves the narrow platform across the water, powered by an electric motor.
It was built in 1909 and was the first of its kind in Germany at the time. After more than 60 years of regular use, the ferry was taken out of service, but was later restored and now operates as a working museum.
The ferry's name reflects how it works: it hangs from cables and floats above the water without touching the riverbed. For residents, it has always been more than just a way to cross; it represents the connection between two communities.
The ferry runs from April through October mainly on weekends and some weekdays, operated by volunteers. Tickets can be purchased before boarding, bikes are welcome, and the crossing takes only a few minutes.
The original electric motor from 1909 still powers the ferry today, making it one of the few such cable ferries still operating with its original machinery. Visitors can watch century-old engineering technology perform its work in real time.
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