The project’s beginnings
Everything began in an attic. High up in the building of the St. Pauli Elbtunnel, HPA worker Jan-Peter Hein came across a unique find perchance in 2017: dozens of cases, around 900 photos and hundreds of technical drawings – all of which document the planning and construction of the tunnel.
To assess the value of these documents, HPA commissioned the Hamburg historian Daniel Frahm. The scientist specialising in public history, in other words history beyond the academic realms of the university, has worked for various Hamburg companies. He examined the material and determined them to be extremely valuable. HPA wanted to share this treasure with the public and gave Daniel Frahm the task of compiling an exhibition on the St. Pauli Elbtunnel.
When the Elbtunnel was opened in 1910, it was considered a milestone in technology. The newly discovered photos now fill 24 boards of an exhibition giving visitors a fascinating look into the development and long history, as well as the refurbishment work which HPA is currently performing, of the Old Elbe Tunnel. “What’s interesting is that not only is the tunnel’s history on display, but also the current refurbishment measures and thus the efforts of HPA to retain this historically valuable structure. The importance of the tunnel in terms of its architecture and transport connection will not be forgotten,” says historian Daniel Frahm.
The exhibition can be seen in the foyer of Hamburg’s Town Hall from 1 to 17 March 2019.
The opening hours are:
Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission is free of charge. Afterwards, the exhibition will be on display for a few weeks directly in the St. Pauli Elbtunnel.
