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Originally the 'Alte Liebe' was planed to counteract the heavy floods in 1725 and thus stop the loss of banks and land. For this three disused ships and stones were sunk in front of the harbour's narrow channel in 1733. Poles were put around the ships and the spaces in-between filled with stones and shrubs. The 'Alte Liebe' is used as jetty and breakwaters.
The name 'Alte Liebe' is probably due to the fact that the biggest sunken ship was called 'Olivia', in Low German 'Oliv'. In the course of the years it developed from there to 'Ol Liev' and thus 'Alte Liebe'.
At the inner side of the viewing platform at the Elbe ships still sail to Helgoland, Neuwerk and to the seals' sandbanks today.
Via loudspeaker spectators are being informed origin, destination and size of the passing vessels.
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