Perched overlooking the Alberthafen, the Fischhaus Alberthafen is more than just a restaurant. It is a place with a story.
The Fischhaus Alberthafen building was erected in 1954. It served as a cultural center for the dockworkers of Alberthafen. In 1995, it was restored. The building reopened as a maritime restaurant.
Before we step inside the Fischhaus Alberthafen, take a moment to appreciate the view. The Alberthafen Dresden-Friedrichstadt is Dresden’s most important port. Constructed between 1891 and 1895, it sits in the Ostragehege, a part of Friedrichstadt. It is near the Flügelwegbrücke and the former municipal slaughterhouse.
The Alberthafen officially began operations on November 1, 1895. The harbor needed a lot of digging. Steam dredgers removed about 1.5 million cubic meters of earth. Most of this soil was used to build the Friedrichstadt freight depot. The quay wall is 2.2 kilometers long. It is 12 meters high. It was designed to exceed the Elbe’s highest known water level from the 1845 flood by 30 centimeters. However, the 2002 flood surpassed this, reaching 9.40 meters.
Originally, the Alberthafen boasted sixteen electric cranes. It also featured three transport systems and a suction plant. These were state-of-the-art for their time. In its first year, the port handled 150,000 tons of goods across 40 berths. Up to 25 barges could be processed simultaneously. By the late 1920s, the port was outdated. It underwent modernization and expansion in 1931.
The Alberthafen suffered heavy damage during World War II. After repairs, freight turnover increased. By the mid-1950s, it reached 550,000 tons. With new cranes, capacity increased to 1.2 million tons in the 1970s. Key goods included gravel, stones, grain, ores, kaolin, detergents, and rock salts. The facilities declined again in the 1980s.
The Alberthafen area originally covered 42 hectares. The harbor basin was 1,100 meters long and 150 meters wide. This made it 15 hectares in size. During renovations in 1997, the basin was significantly reduced. The northern and western parts were filled. This made room for additional commercial and logistics facilities. Today, the basin is about 7 hectares.
The Fischhaus Alberthafen offers views of a museum terminal. It includes two historic railway cars from 1910. There is also a harbor crane from 1965 and the last Elbzille “Waltraut” from 1913. Inside the “Waltraut”, exhibits show the lives of Elbe boatmen. They also detail the history of inland ports on the Upper Elbe.
Now, step inside the Fischhaus Alberthafen. You can admire Saxony’s largest saltwater aquarium. It holds 5,200 liters and over 40 different species. Enjoy the maritime ambiance. Perhaps you will have a meal here. The Fischhaus Alberthafen seats about 200 guests. It offers a unique dining experience with a view of the Alberthafen. The restaurant is open Tuesday to Sunday.
The Fischhaus Alberthafen stands as a testament to Dresden’s history. It is a blend of industrial heritage and culinary delight.