Kammerschleuse, former lock in Ludwigshafen, Germany
The Kammerschleuse is a lock on the Rhine in Ludwigshafen built in the late 1800s that controlled water flow to the harbor through a chamber with gates. Beside it stands a sandstone tower with four water level indicators facing all directions that monitored river conditions for navigation.
The lock was built between 1894 and 1897 as part of the Luitpoldhafen harbor project to improve shipping and trade. It was closed in the 1960s and partly dismantled, with only the tower and remains of the lock chamber surviving to the present day.
The name Kammerschleuse refers to the lock chamber that once raised and lowered ships between different water levels. Today, the site stands as a reminder of how the harbor shaped the city's identity and how people relied on the Rhine for commerce and movement.
The site is easy to reach and located near the Hannelore-Kohl-Promenade, a walking path along the Rhine. The lock remains can be viewed from outside, while the tower is fenced off for safety and only opens during special heritage days.
The tower features four large clocks on all sides that did not tell time but measured Rhine water levels for ship navigation. A unique system involved Pegelspringer workers who ran water readings from the tower to the harbor to keep vessels safe on the river.
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