Hafenfest an der Kanalschleuse Berkenthin

A Village, a Canal, a 500-Year-Old Story

Berkenthin is situated on what is arguably the most fascinating waterway between Lauenburg and Lübeck: the Elbe-Lübeck Canal, which in turn follows the course of the even older Stecknitz river. For centuries in the Middle Ages, valuable Lüneburg salt was transported via this waterway system from the Elbe to Lübeck — pulled by so-called 'Treidler' (boat haulers) who laboriously towed the heavy Salzprahme (salt barges) along the bank. Berkenthin was one of the most important boat hauling locations on this route.

The Salt Barge — The Heart of the Festival

The Hafenfest builds on this very heritage. The centerpiece of the event is a faithful replica of a 16th-century salt barge — a flat-bottomed boat that once transported salt to Lübeck. During the festival, the barge is moved to the Berkenthin lock, where it can be viewed and even boarded.

The Berkenthin Treidlerpatent

A Berkenthin specialty that no visitor should miss: for 5 euros, you can acquire the Berkenthin Treidlerpatent. This involves pulling the barge 200 meters by hand yourself — just like the boat haulers did 500 years ago. Afterwards, you traditionally receive a Stecknitz-Köm (or water as an alternative), a Treidlerknacker, and finally, you hold your patent as 'Treidlermeister' in your hand. A charming, hands-on history lesson staged with a sense of proportion.

Live Music, Smoked Fish, and Canal-Typical Atmosphere

Market stalls are set up along the bank around the barge: live music from the water on a floating or shore-side stage, accompanied by freshly smoked fish and other fish specialties, bratwurst, coffee, and cake. Ships on the Elbe-Lübeck Canal provide the backdrop — sometimes small pleasure boats or traditional vessels dock especially for the festival. For children, there are bouncy castles, craft stations, and face painting.

Berkenthin and the Stecknitz Region

Berkenthin is the seat of the eponymous administrative district in the Herzogtum Lauenburg district of Schleswig-Holstein. The Hafenfest is a joint production of several dedicated stakeholders: the Community Cultural Committee, the Prahmkameraden (Association for the Preservation of the Salt Barge Replica), and the Sportfischerverein Trave (Trave Angling Club). The festival is supported by the Stecknitz-Region Tourist Service, which also serves as the gateway to the entire waterway history between Mölln and Lübeck.

Occasion: 125 Years of the Elbe-Lübeck Canal

The present-day Elbe-Lübeck Canal, opened by Kaiser Wilhelm II in 1900 with its first passage, celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2025 — and the 2025 Hafenfest took this as an occasion for a special edition. The 2026 Hafenfest will continue this tradition.