The original Henrichenburg lift-lock at Waltrop is a popular destination for excursions, and not just by people interested in old technologies. This, the biggest civil engineering work on the Dortmund-Ems canal, was inaugurated by Kaiser Wilhelm II on 11 August 1899, and for the next 63 years it carried barges of up to 600 tons between the level of the canal's longest pound and
that of its terminal section (14 m higher). In 1962, it was replaced by the bigger and faster lift-lock that remains in operation nearby.

Today, the original lift-lock is one of Europe's most remarkable industrial monuments. The Westphalian Industrial Museum has organised an exhibition showing how it was built and the role of inland waterways during the past century in the former machine-house.

An historic boatyard, steamships and workboats are the attractions of the Museum-dock at the upper level "Oberwasser". Visitors to the motor-barge "Franz-Christian", moored in the dock at the lower level, can discover what the everyday life of boatmen and their families is like on board. By special arrangement, children can even sign on as cabin-boys (or -girls) and scrub the decks... There's more about this here!

Visitors to Henrichenburg can also see examples showing the evolution of lock technology during the past century, notably the single-chamber high-rise lock dating from 1914, the new lift-lock opened in 1962, and the giant new lock opened in 1989. These are only the highlights of what can be seen by following the sign-posted path.

More information is given (in German) on the linked pages. We look forward to your visit!