Münsterbrücke, Stone arch bridge in central Zürich, Switzerland
Description
The Münsterbrücke is a stone arch bridge spanning the Limmat River in central Zurich, connecting Münsterhof square to Limmatquai street in the old city. It features four flat arches and shapes the city skyline with its solid, balanced structure.
History
Construction took place between 1836 and 1838 under engineer Alois Negrelli's direction, replacing a wooden bridge with origins dating back to Roman times. This shift from wood to stone marked Zurich's move toward modern 19th-century infrastructure.
Culture
The bridge takes its name from the two churches it connects: the Fraumünster and Grossmünster are central religious landmarks that define the old city. From here you can see both church towers and sense how important these buildings are to Zurich's identity.
Practical
Crossing on foot is straightforward, as the bridge is part of the main walking routes through the old city and easily accessible by public transit. Trams and tour boats operate at and beneath this location, making it a major transport hub.
Did you know?
The bridge rests on a foundation of around 472 oak piles filled with concrete, supporting a total weight of about 6,100 tons of stone. This hidden engineering solution beneath the visible structure showcases the technical skill of 19th-century builders.
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Grossmünster
124 m
Fraumünster
110 m
Zürich Town Hall
160 m
Stadthaus Zürich
116 m
Zunfthaus zur Meisen
65 m
Frauenbad Stadthausquai
164 m
Carolinum Zürich
124 m
Zunfthaus zur Saffran
165 m
Zunfthaus zur Zimmerleuten
97 m
Zunfthaus zum Rüden
106 m
Zunfthaus zur Haue
166 m
Bauhaus Zürich
134 m
Grossmünsterkapelle
179 m
Zunfthaus zur Waag
168 m
Helferei Grossmünster
177 m
Monument to Hans Waldmann
39 m
Ulrich Zwingli memorial
78 m
Mauerbrunnen
175 m
Fish market fountain
124 m
Winzerbrunnen
165 m
Fraumünsterpost
160 m
Wettingerhus, Zürich
84 m
Hintermünsterbrunnen
167 m
Ehemalige Mädchenschule am Grossmünster
136 m
Fraumünsterdurchgang
84 m
Haus zum kleinen Pelikan
95 m
Findling vom Geissturm
171 m
Karlsturm
89 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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