Västra Hamnkanalen
Västra and Östra Hamnkanalerna - The Western and Eastern Harbourcanals
Where trams and busses today runs shuttle traffic on the Eastern and Western Harbour Streets, Östra and Västra Hamngatorna, there used to be canals. These canals were built during the 160ies and were used both to drain the marsches and to be harbours for the newly founded Gothenburg town. They both started in the river and continued to the moat, without beeing connected to the moat.
The water in the canals was stagnant and thus very soon totally unsuitable. The harbourmaster tried but the people of Gothenburg used the canals as dustbin but also for washing, for bathing and as drinking water! Not to wonder that many deseases raged in town.
The result was "an unsuitable stink for all that meet at the bridges for conferences and conversations". As you could read in a letter to the editor in the newspaper "Hwas Nytt? Hwad Nytt? He described the filth and concluded: - Think about what you would find if you examined if you examine the water through a magnifying glass. A horrible soap you'd find.
In the midth of the 19th century the harbours were cleared up, but neverhteless Västra Hamnkanalen got the nickname The Filthy Harbour. and by the end of the 19th century the part between Brunnsparken and Kungsportplatsen of the Östra Hamnkanalen was fill up. This was 1898 to 1900. In 1903 Västra hamnkanalen was filled. The last part , between Brunnsparken and Lilla Bommen at the river was not filled up until 1936.
After that cars and trams ruled the town. But mid you - the canals are still there. Mainly intact beneath the asphalt! A part of Östra Hamnkanalen showed up in October 2000 during roadworks. Completely intakt.
There is a desire, even from the highest political level, to make these canals, canals once again. At least Östra Hamnkanalen from Lilla Bommen to Brunnsparken. That is a project that would please many true citizens of Gothenburg. With modern technique it would be easy to get the water to flow around, especially now that most people know that they shouldn't throw things in a canal. That would really be something - recreating this New Amsterdam that Gothenburg once was!
© Text written by Ingrid Wirsin
Ingrid Wirsin is a wellknown journalist in Gothenburg, with a special feeling for buildings and history.
©Text 2001 by Ingrid Wirsin
Sources: STF:s Yearbook 1995, Kanaler, STF:s Göteborgsguide 1979, many charts and maps.
Do send comments or further information to: Bosse Arnholm!
Click here to get back to the main Gothenburg-page.
This page was last modified at