Stephansbrücke, Stone arch bridge between Schönberg im Stubaital and Mutters, Austria.
Stephansbrücke is a stone arch bridge connecting Schönberg im Stubaital and Mutters, with a main arch spanning about 36 meters and a total length of 44 meters. The structure crosses the Ruetz Valley using traditional stone masonry techniques characteristic of the region's building heritage.
The bridge was built between 1842 and 1846, with Archduke Stephen of Habsburg-Lorraine placing the foundation stone. This construction improved connections between the two villages in a valley that was growing in economic importance during that period.
The bridge sits in an area with two traditional inns that reflect the local building style and character. One of these establishments served as a meeting place during key moments in the region's past.
The bridge is accessible to both vehicles and pedestrians, providing direct passage between the two villages. Major restoration work was completed in the 1990s to repair damage from traffic and winter conditions, ensuring the structure remains safe for daily use.
The arch is cut from Höttinger Breccie, quarried in Hötting and hauled to the site on mule-back along the Brennerstraße. Its 43.63-metre opening made it the third-widest vault in the world when completed. In 1879 the vaulted filling was removed and replaced by a relief vault because of traffic loads.
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