Old Bridge, Stone arch bridge in Heidelberg, Germany
The Old Bridge is a stone arch structure spanning the Neckar River in Heidelberg, measuring roughly 200 m in length and flanked by twin towers at its southern end. The pale sandstone arches and piers give the crossing a warm appearance, while the towers with their pointed roofs preserve a medieval character.
Elector Karl Theodor commissioned the structure in 1788 after eight wooden predecessors had been lost to floods and wartime destruction. This stone version was the first to endure permanently at the site, securing the connection between both riverbanks.
The name recalls the long series of wooden predecessors that floods and wars repeatedly swept away over the centuries. Today locals and visitors cross on foot, passing two statues: one showing river deities and the other honoring the goddess of wisdom.
The crossing links the old town to the Neuenheim district and is open only to pedestrians. Visitors exploring both riverbanks will find this the most direct route, with views of the water and surrounding hillsides along the way.
The medieval gate structure with its twin towers reaching 28 m in height is the last surviving element of the former city fortifications. The towers originally served as guard posts controlling access to the town, and today they stand only as a reminder of the old defensive architecture.
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