Bridges over the Wien River, Bridge ensemble over the Wien River in Vienna, Austria.
The bridges over the Wien are pedestrian, road and railway crossings within Vienna, most of them rebuilt or newly erected between 1898 and 1900 during the regulation of the river; several are listed as historic monuments. The oldest crossings stood south of the historic centre: a wooden bridge is presumed at today's Stubenbrücke leading to the Roman civil town, and a ford plus a wooden bridge crossed the river near today's Karlsplatz. The 1829 Franziszeischer Kataster recorded about 20 bridges and footbridges inside today's city area, most outside the Linienwall.
The oldest crossings date to the Roman era: a wooden bridge stood near today's Stubenbrücke, and a ford plus a timber bridge crossed the river at today's Karlsplatz. After the Romans left in the 5th century these decayed; under the Babenbergs wooden bridges returned, documented at the Karlsplatz in 1211. From 1814 to 1817 the Wien was regulated between Schönbrunn and the Stubentor, and by 1829 about 20 bridges and footbridges crossed it. Most surviving bridges were rebuilt or newly erected between 1898 and 1900 during the river's regulation; several are listed as monuments.
The Elisabethbrücke at Karlsplatz carried stone bridge figures that were moved to Rathausplatz in 1902. The Schikaneder-Kettensteg near the Theater an der Wien, built in 1830, charged a toll until 1860. The Rudolfsbrücke, also called Kettenbrücke, was Vienna's first chain bridge built for vehicle traffic, erected in 1828 near today's Kettenbrückengasse.
The Wien River is culverted in the city centre, so many historic crossings such as the Elisabethbrücke and Rudolfsbrücke no longer exist above ground. To see surviving bridges, follow the river outward from the Karlsplatz area toward Schönbrunn and Hütteldorf. The Wien River cycle path runs along much of the regulated channel.
The Elisabeth Bridge at Karlsplatz stood from 1854 to 1897; its bridge figures were moved to Rathausplatz in 1902. The Rudolfsbrücke, built in 1828 near today's Kettenbrückengasse, was Vienna's first chain bridge intended for vehicle traffic. The Schikaneder-Kettensteg by the Theater an der Wien, built in 1830, charged a toll until 1860.
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