Knippelsbro, Bascule bridge in Inner Harbour, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Knippelsbro is a bascule bridge 115 meters long that has crossed Copenhagen's Inner Harbour since 1937, forming a key part of the city's central transportation network. The structure operates as a mechanical swing crossing that allows both ships and vehicles to share the same passageway.
The bridge opened in 1937 and replaced earlier versions, with the first one built in 1620 under Christian IV. This location has always been an important crossing point for trade and movement between the city and the harbor.
The bridge links two historically distinct districts, and visitors cross it to move between the formal Slotsholmen area and the working harbor zone of Christianshavn. The name comes from a bridge keeper appointed in the 1600s, showing how ordinary people shaped local memory.
The bridge works well for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers, though you should be aware that it raises periodically for ships to pass through. If you have time, nearby cafes offer good spots to wait or explore the surrounding waterfront while water traffic moves.
The bridge gets its name from Hans Knip, a bridge keeper appointed in 1641, even though the crossing site is far older. Being named after a single person is a reminder of how small roles in city history often become larger than expected.
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