Ahrbrücke, Stone arch bridge in Rech, Germany.
The Ahrbrücke is a stone arch bridge in Rech that spans the Ahr River with four natural stone arches and measures about 43 meters in total length. The structure connects the village center to Federal Road 266 and crosses the riverbed at a height of about five meters.
Construction began in 1723 with a wooden beam structure that was replaced by stone arches in 1759. The stone version then served the region for more than 260 years until the 2021 flood disaster caused severe damage.
The bridge holds a statue of Saint Nepomuk from the 18th century, the patron saint of river crossings, which reflects the religious significance that water passages once held in the region.
The bridge is easily accessible from Federal Road 266 and offers good views of the river and valley below. Visitors should use caution during high water warnings, as the river can rise quickly during heavy rainfall.
Despite surviving major floods for over two centuries, the bridge lost one of its four arches during the devastating 2021 floods. This transformation makes the structure a moving testament to nature's power and how even ancient constructions have limits.
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