Guanofleet

Gazing at the Guanofleet, can you sense the echoes of its past? This seemingly unassuming canal, nestled in Hamburg-Steinwerder, holds a story richer than meets the eye. The Guanofleet isn’t just one waterway, but two distinct sections. A smaller northern part branches off the Elbe River. The second, longer section lies further on, separated by the Norderelbstraße crossing. The Guanofleet’s tale begins in 1853. It was one of the first canals built south of the Norderelbe. Imagine it then, a bustling waterway connecting the Elbe River to the Norderloch, stretching between Reiherstieg and Mittelkanal. Near its Elbe entrance stood a copper smelter, a testament to the area’s industrial heart. Over time, progress reshaped the Guanofleet. Its southern connection was filled in to create a shipyard. This shortened the canal to a mere 320 meters. The Norderelbstraße bridge crossing was also filled in, dividing the Guanofleet into its present two sections. This effectively ended its use for shipping. But the Guanofleet’s story didn’t end there. In 1995, the Hamburg Port Structure Plan sought to create compensatory areas for development and revitalize the Elbe River. This plan breathed new life into the Guanofleet. It transformed from a bustling canal to a tranquil reminder of Hamburg’s industrial past. Today, the site of the old copper smelter has been reborn as a cultural hub. Since 1994, it has housed the Theater im Hafen Hamburg. In 2014, the Theater an der Elbe joined it, further enriching the area. So, as you stand by the Guanofleet, remember its journey. From industrial workhorse to a peaceful haven, it echoes Hamburg’s continuous evolution.