Altmühlbrücke Pfünz
The Altmühlbrücke Pfünz (municipality of Walting , district of Eichstätt , Upper Bavaria ) is one of the most important historical stone bridges in Bavaria. The old river crossing was relieved by a new building in 1979 and has only been open to pedestrians and cyclists since then.
history
Not far from the bridge is the Roman fort Vetonianis on a mountain tongue. Another 10 kilometers north ran the Limes , the outer border of the empire.
The name of the village Pfünz, which is derived from the Latin "pons", suggests a bridge at this time. The Altmühlübergang was easily monitored from the fort. This first bridge was certainly a wooden structure at the site of a pre-Roman ford .
The four-bay arch bridge that has been preserved probably dates back to the 15th century. A bridge toll to Pfünz is mentioned around 1486, so that construction could begin during the term of office of the Eichstatt Prince-Bishop Wilhelm von Reichenau . The diocese was responsible for maintenance until shortly after 1700 and took the road toll. Subsequently, the municipality was granted the right to collect customs duties.
During the Napoleonic Wars , Austrian troops blew up the bridge on July 22nd, 1800. A repair bill from 1822 mentions a wooden replacement construction. However, the arches were later restored to their original shape. Perhaps this happened around 1878 when an extension was mentioned in correspondence between the municipality and the Royal District Office of Eichstätt, which was supposed to be financed by the customs revenue.
In 1976 an American tank severely damaged the bridge, which was limited to 12 tons. The damage was repaired in the same year, and most of the parapets had to be rebuilt.
In 1979 state road 2230 was moved about 200 m to the west and a new Altmühl crossing made of prestressed concrete was built . At the same time, the old flood bridge in the valley meadows in front of the river was demolished because it was dilapidated. One of the 14 arches of this flood footbridge in front of the actual bridge was marked "1772".
description
The main bridge that has been preserved consists of irregular limestone layers or quarry stone masonry of local origin. Four round arches span the river and are supported by three tapering river pillars, the foreheads of which are made of regular limestone blocks.
The pillar against Pfünz is only 1.40 m wide. The central pillar is the strongest at 3.60 m, the arch on the side towards Eichstätt is only slightly weaker at 3.30 m. The spans of the bridge arches are between 5.80 and 8.00 meters. The clearance heights vary between 2.50 m and approx. 3.50 m. The carriageway is 2.80 to 4.15 m wide, the cover stones are partly still connected with iron clips. Overall, the bridge is about 45 m long, the river here about 35 m wide.
See also
literature
- Gisbert Kolb: Altmühlbrücke Pfünz . In: The Federal Minister for Transport (Ed.): Stone bridges in Germany . Düsseldorf 1988, ISBN 3-7640-0240-9 .
Coordinates: 48 ° 53 '22.9 " N , 11 ° 15' 33.1" E