Marienbrücke, Footbridge in Schwangau, Germany.
Marienbrücke is a metal footbridge crossing the Pollat Gorge near Schwangau, linking walking paths on both sides. The structure spans across a deep rocky ravine where water falls rapidly below.
King Maximilian II first commissioned a wooden structure here in 1845 to help hikers access the gorge. The current iron bridge was built in 1866 to replace the aging timber crossing with something more durable.
The bridge carries the name of Queen Marie of Prussia and reflects how 19th-century engineers understood their craft. Walking across, you notice the careful metalwork and design choices that show the pride people took in building at this time.
Most visitors reach it via a walking path that starts from Hohenschwangau and heads uphill for a while. Wear comfortable shoes and allow plenty of time to reach the bridge without rushing.
The bridge was built without extra support pillars, which was remarkable for its time and showed new building methods. This allowed the structure to sit above the gorge without heavy foundations disrupting the landscape.
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