Rollfähre Spitz-Arnsdorf, Reaction ferry across the Danube River in Lower Austria
The Rollfähre Spitz-Arnsdorf is a reaction ferry crossing the Danube in Lower Austria, made up of two connected vessel bodies that can carry 20 tons. The ferry operates without an engine and relies instead on the natural current of the river to move across.
This ferry connection has linked the communities of Spitz and Arnsdorf across the Danube for generations. The reaction ferry design relies on river current, a proven method that made motorization unnecessary for many decades.
The ferry cabin features an artistic installation by Olafur Eliasson that works like a camera obscura, turning the crossing into an optical experience. Visitors notice how the surrounding landscape is projected and inverted through this work during the journey.
The ferry operates daily during the warmer months with extended service on weekends. Crossings take between five and seven minutes, and visitors should bring cash as only cash payments are accepted.
A 485-meter steel cable anchored in towers on both riverbanks guides the vessel across the water. This single cable alone holds and directs the ferry while the current provides all the forward motion.
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