Kölner Drehbrücke, Swing bridge in Altstadt-Süd, Germany.
The Kölner Drehbrücke is a swing bridge at the entrance of Rheinauhafen in Altstadt-Süd that rotates within one minute to allow ships to pass. The structure uses a hydraulic system powered by water pressure from an external mechanism.
This bridge was built in 1896 and was the first completed structure of the new Rheinauhafen. Its original mechanical components from the 19th century still operate today.
The bridge stands next to the Chocolate Museum, showing how Cologne's riverside changed from an industrial port to a cultural destination. Visitors see where past working life meets today's cultural offerings.
The best time to visit is at low tide when water levels are lower and the bridge mechanism is easier to see in action. Views from the opposite side of Rheinauhafen offer the clearest look at how the rotating and lifting system works.
A radio-controlled emergency system was installed in the 1990s without removing the historical rotating apparatus. This side-by-side coexistence of old and new technology makes the bridge a rare example of preservation that kept modern safety standards.
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