Ever wondered how Hamburg built its fourth Elbtunnel? The answer lies before you. This is the Bohrkopf T.R.U.D.E. It stands as an imposing industrial monument. T.R.U.D.E. is more than just metal. It represents a feat of engineering and Hamburg’s history.
Let me tell you about T.R.U.D.E.’s story. The initials T.R.U.D.E. stand for Tief Runter Unter Die Elbe. This translates to Deep Down Under the Elbe. It’s a fitting name for the drill head that bored the fourth Elbtunnel tube.
Back in 1997 Hamburg needed a new Elbtunnel. They commissioned the world’s largest shield tunneling machine. This machine needed a name. A contest was held among children in the Elbe suburbs. Ten-year-old Paul Ortel won with his suggestion: T.R.U.D.E..
T.R.U.D.E. was a giant. It was 60 meters long. The drill head alone was 14.2 meters high. It weighed 380 tons. This massive machine devoured over 400.000 cubic meters of earth.
After the tunnel was complete Hamburgers grew fond of T.R.U.D.E.. Many people and firms worked to preserve it. The drill head was placed in the courtyard of the Museum der Arbeit. Now T.R.U.D.E. stands as a reminder of Hamburg’s industrial past.
The site where T.R.U.D.E. resides has its own history. Around 1870 a rubber factory was built here. It was called the New-York Hamburger Gummi-Waaren Compagnie. The factory made hard and soft rubber products. Production continued until the 1930s.
World War II brought destruction. The factory was sold to the city of Hamburg. The rubber company moved to Harburg and then to Lüneburg.
Today the area has been transformed. Behind the historic brick facade lies a stylish restaurant named T.R.U.D.E.. The restaurant’s open layout combines old wood with modern design. You can enjoy regional cuisine here. In summer the terrace is open for cocktails.
The T.R.U.D.E. restaurant offers unique spaces. The heart of T.R.U.D.E. can host up to 180 people. It features high ceilings rustic charm and a well-stocked bar. The Kaminzimmer accommodates 80 guests. It displays photographs of the Elbtunnel construction. For smaller gatherings there is the Wein(t)raum for 16 people.
So as you stand before the Bohrkopf T.R.U.D.E. remember its journey. From a groundbreaking machine to a beloved monument. It embodies Hamburg’s spirit of innovation. It also shows the city’s dedication to preserving its history. The T.R.U.D.E. is a true piece of Hamburg.