By means of the Stecknitz canal, the Elbe, the principal river, is connected with the Trave.
The former ramparts between the Trave and the old town ditch have been converted into promenades.
In order to counterbalance their rivalry, the quays have been extended, a canal was opened in 1900 between the Trave and the Elbe, the river up to the wharves has been deepened to 25 ft.
Old Lubeck stood on the left bank of the Trave, where it is joined by the river Schwartau, and was destroyed in 1138.
In connexion with the Germans at Visby, the capital of Gotland, and at Riga, where they had a house from 1231, the people of Lubeck with their armed vessels scoured the sea between the Trave and the Neva.