Stadtschleuse Brandenburg, Schleuse im Brandenburger Stadtkanal in Brandenburg an der Havel
The Stadtschleuse Brandenburg is a lock in the city canal that now serves mainly small recreational boats rather than large freight vessels. The chamber extends about 70 feet (21 meters) long and 17 feet (5.3 meters) wide, with gates at both ends that operate to raise and lower water levels for safe passage.
In the 13th century, weirs were built in river branches near Brandenburg to control water flow and power mills. Around the 16th century, a wooden lock was constructed near the Steintorturm tower and operated for nearly 400 years until the current concrete and steel structure replaced it in the 1920s.
The lock's name reflects its position in the city canal, where it helps boats navigate between different water levels. It stands as a visual reminder of how Brandenburg developed around water transport and remains part of the local identity.
The lock is easy to reach on foot or by bicycle and sits along a walking path beside the canal. Activity increases in spring and summer when more boats are on the water, making these seasons the best times to observe it functioning.
The original wooden lock built around the 16th century was much larger than today's structure, measuring roughly 226 feet (69 meters) long and 125 feet (38 meters) wide. This substantial size reveals that it once accommodated large cargo ships and was central to regional trade before being downsized for modern leisure use.
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