Löwenbrücke, Suspension footbridge in Großer Tiergarten, Germany.
The Löwenbrücke is a small suspension footbridge in the Großer Tiergarten decorated with four cast-iron lions. The animals hold steel cables in their mouths and connect materials including iron, steel, and artificial stone in a single structure.
The bridge was built in 1838 as Berlin's first suspension bridge, demonstrating advanced engineering for its time. World War II destroyed much of it, but the original lion sculptures survived and continue to define the landmark.
The four lions are cast-iron figures that immediately catch the eye of anyone crossing the bridge. These sculptures blend artistic purpose with engineering function in a way that makes the structure feel more like a work of art than a simple pathway.
The crossing is narrow and quite low, so taller people should watch their step carefully. The structure looks delicate but is sturdy enough for regular foot traffic through the park.
The four lions were inspired by a bridge in Saint Petersburg, but interpret the design in a distinctly Berlin style. This connection to Russian engineering tradition is rarely remembered today, even though it shaped the bridge's identity.
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