Schellfischtunnel

The Schellfischtunnel extends for 961 meters beneath Hamburg's Altona district, connecting the former Altona station to the fishing port through a brick-lined passage.

Constructed between 1873 and 1895, the tunnel replaced an inclined plane system that had caused safety concerns due to recurring landslides in the transportation network.

The tunnel earned its name from the fish transportation activities that started in 1889, marking Hamburg's position as a major fishing distribution center in northern Germany.

The underground passage contains 21 safety niches where workers could take shelter from passing trains during its active railway service period until 1992.

The tunnel structure underwent a transition from steam to electric locomotives in 1909, becoming one of the first electrified railway lines in northern Germany.

Location: Altona

Inception: 1893

Official opening: 1876

Length: 961 m

GPS coordinates: 53.54890,9.93450

Latest update: September 24, 2025 10:23