Old Eider Canal with lock facility Kluvensiek
Lock facility Kluvensiek of the old Eider canal
The 'Schleswig-Holstein canal' or 'Eider canal' built between 1777 and 1784, connected the Kiel Fjord with the lower River Eider bear Rendsburg from 1784 to 1890. It was the world's first canal, which could also be used by seagoing ships. It was then, Europe's largest canal.
Through this, is was possible to ship from the North Sea to the Baltic Sea without going through the dangerous and much longer way via the Skaw.
With the help of six locks – Holtenau, Knoop, Rathmansdorf, Königförde, Kluvensiek and Rendsburg –
ships were being either lifted or dropped of around 2,5 metres.
Did you know that the ships were pulled through the old Eider canal from the river banks either by hand or horse? It's called treideln (hauling).