Old Lahn Bridge (Wetzlar)

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Old Lahn Bridge Wetzlar
Old Lahn Bridge
Technical specifications
length 104 m
Max. Span
Superstructure width 6.45 m
Construction height
Max. Height above valley
system Arch bridge

The stone Old Lahn Bridge in Wetzlar is a seven-arched bridge over the Lahn and Lahn Island, probably built in the 13th century . It is one of the oldest surviving bridges in Hessen .

Appearance

The bridge is 104 m long and 6.45 m wide. It rests on seven arcs. Seen from upstream, the two outer arches have a clear width of 7.40 m and 8 m respectively, the middle ones from 10 m to 10.50 m. The carriageway is arched and drops from its highest point 1.90 m in the direction of the old town and 2.40 m in the direction of the suburb.

Building history

Old Lahnbrücke viewed from Kalsmunt from
Lahn bridge at night

The foundation chronicle of the Altenberg monastery names the priest Gottfried von Beselich († around 1180), who initiated the construction of the bridge and collected alms for it.

It was probably built between 1250 and 1280 instead of a wooden bridge, making it one of the oldest surviving bridges in Hesse. It has been changed several times over the years. In the 15th century the pillars were reinforced by icebreakers . City views from the 17th century show two tower structures demolished in 1832, one of which was a prison tower. Around 1865 the parapet was replaced by an iron grating to create a walkway. Extensive renovation measures were carried out between 1977 and 1981. These had become necessary due to static problems caused by the tower demolition. In this context, the iron railing was removed again and replaced by a parapet, which is modeled on the original, but consists of a concrete core clad with rubble stones.

In 2011 the bridge was closed to car traffic, and since then it has only been used by pedestrians and cyclists.

See also

literature

  • Federal Minister of Transport (Ed.): Stone bridges in Germany - Volume 1 . Bau + Technik Verlag, Düsseldorf 1988, ISBN 3-7640-0240-9 .

Web links

Commons : Alte Lahnbrücke  - collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. Christoph W. Martin: Gottfried von Beselich: Life and Work , Beselicher Schriften Nr. 11, 1999, pp. 73-80, ISSN  0934-036X

Coordinates: 50 ° 33 ′ 21 ″  N , 8 ° 29 ′ 56 ″  E