Attractions and Places To See around Barby - Top 20

The Elbe (Low German: Elv, Czech: Labe, Latin: Albis) is a Central European river that originates in the Czech Republic, flows through Germany, and empties into the North Sea. It drains, among other things, a large part of eastern Germany and almost all of Bohemia, which is surrounded by low mountain ranges. The most well-known rivers in its catchment area include the Vltava, the Mulde, the Saale, the Havel with the Spree, and the Elde with the Müritz. Characterized by the low mountain ranges in its upper reaches, it further follows two glacial valleys in the North German Plain. Measured by the size of its catchment area of 148,300 km², the Elbe ranks fourth in Central Europe according to the list of rivers in Europe, behind the Danube, the Vistula, and the Rhine, and followed by the Oder and the Memel.[6] Source: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elbe

Info at https://www.stadtwerke-aken.de/elbfaehre-aken.html

A special technical monument, with a simple but ingenious construction.

Technical data Ferry name: Ferry Aken Type of ferry: Wagon cable ferry Year of construction: 1997 Length overall: 34.50 m Width overall: 10.10 m Loading area: 138 m² Load capacity: 42 t Maximum individual load: 25 t Fees for the Aken ferry The following fees apply to the use of the Aken ferry from January 1st, 2024 (each with driver and reduced VAT rate). Adults 1.00 euros Bicycle 2.00 euros Moped / motorcycle 2.50 euros Trailer for bicycle, moped, motorcycle 0.50 euros Motorcycle with sidecar 2.50 euros Car 3.50 euros Car trailers up to 2.50 m 1.50 euros Car trailers over 2.50 m long, caravans up to 4 m 2.00 euros Delivery vehicles and minibuses (including car registration), mobile homes, caravans over 4 m, small tractors, pickup trucks 5.00 euros Delivery vehicles (including car registration), trucks 5 t to 10 t, tractors 5 t to 10 t, buses with 10 - 20 seats 8.00 euros Buses with more than 20 seats 8.00 euros Trucks, tractors, agricultural machinery 10 t - 15 t 10.00 euros Trucks, agricultural machinery over 15 t 12.00 euros Trailers up to 5 t 4.00 euros Trailers over 5 t to 10 t 5.00 euros Trailers over 10 t to 15 t 6.00 euros Trailer over 15 t 7.50 euros Semi-trailers 12.50 euros Total occupancy of the ferry (special transport) 25.00 euros Horse-drawn carriage 5.00 euros Horse with rider 2.00 euros Severely disabled people, schoolchildren, students (ID) 50% discount Aken kindergarten and school groups including care free of charge Source https://www.stadtwerke-aken.de/elbfaehre-aken.html

Ferry operations can be maintained up to a water level of around 4.20 m. In the event of flooding or ice, the ferry stops transporting passengers. In the event of a storm or similar weather phenomena, the ferry driver also decides whether the safety of ferry customers can be guaranteed or whether ferry traffic must be interrupted. A ferry was first mentioned in a document in Aken in 1355. In order to enable an exchange of goods between both banks of the Elbe, the Elbe had to be crossed. The shortest connection from Zerbst to Bernburg and Köthen was via Aken. From the beginning, the ferry was not only used to transport people, but also primarily to transport goods. The ferry justice was in the hands of the sovereign. It was not until 1680, when Aken came to the Electorate of Brandenburg, that the ferry was leased. In 1878, when the ferry was rebuilt, the so-called Schrick ferry was converted into a yaw ferry. While previously there was staking and rowing, the ferry now hung on a strong rope, the yaw rope, which is anchored upstream and swings around an attachment point. By tilting it, the current pushes the ferry to the other side. Further new buildings were built in 1901, 1925, 1975 and 1997. The ferry, which is currently in operation, was put into service on May 28, 1997 and has a load capacity of 42 tons (largest individual load 25t). It can take up to 12 cars across the Elbe in about 5 minutes. The yaw ferry was built at the Georg Placke shipyard in Aken and is one of the most modern of its kind in Germany. On January 1, 1993, the Elbe ferry was transferred to the company Stadtwerke Aken (Elbe) by a city council resolution. Source https://www.stadtwerke-aken.de/elbfaehre-aken.html

The Aken (Elbe) ferry acts as a "floating bridge" over the Elbe, securing the connection of the federal highway B 187a between Aken (Elbe) and Steutz. It is of great importance for the supra-regional connection of the Anhalt-Bitterfeld district. The trolley cable ferry handles a large part of the commercial transport traffic. In addition, tourist use has played an increasingly important role in recent years. The Elbe cycle path leads from Aken directly via the ferry to the Steckby-Löddritzer Forst biosphere reserve. The special feature of the Aken (Elbe) ferry lies in the environmentally friendly drive, the yaw rope technology. The current of the Elbe is used. A tether attached by anchors is connected to two guide ropes. The length of the guide ropes is adjusted using winches. The resulting changed angle of attack of the ferry causes the pressure of the current to move the ferry to the other bank. If the wind or water level is unfavorable, the ferry is supported by engine power when loading. The ferry operates according to a summer and winter schedule. The use of the ferry is influenced by weather conditions. Source https://www.stadtwerke-aken.de/elbfaehre-aken.html

On December 28, 2023, the Pretziener Weir had to be pulled again after 10 years to protect the state capital Magdeburg from the Elbe's flood peak. In the 152 years of its existence, today was the 56th opening - always a historical event, so to speak. Although supported by motor power, iron plates weighing 100 kg have to be lifted ("pulled") individually in order to channel part of the Elbe into the 18 km long and 450 m wide flood ditch. Once the flooding is over, the weir is closed again and the flood ditch is available for agriculture, transport and tourism.

I was totally fascinated that the Barby yaw cable ferry only crosses the Elbe with the help of the current.