Iron Bridge, Railway bridge ruins in central Riga, Latvia
The Iron Bridge ruins are remains of a railway crossing over the Daugava River made up of several stone pillars rising from the water. These columns form a straight line and mark exactly where the structure once connected both banks.
The structure was built between 1871 and 1872 and was the first railway line to cross the river at this location. It was destroyed during World War II, leaving behind only these visible pillars as evidence of what once stood there.
Known locally as Zemgales tilts, the ruins represent how railways transformed the way people and goods moved through the city during the industrial era. Visitors can observe how central this structure was to Riga's growth as a trading hub.
The ruins are visible from both the north and south banks of the river, with several spots along the riverside paths offering good views. The area is best explored on foot using the publicly accessible routes along the riverbank.
The pillars still stand in their original positions, a rare example of preserved infrastructure from that era. This undisturbed arrangement allows visitors to understand the exact width of the river as it was then.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
